In a significant escalation, Yemen’s Houthis launched a hypersonic ballistic missile that struck central Israel on Sunday, bypassing Israeli air defense systems. The missile, which traveled over 2,000 kilometers, represents a new threat, with the Houthis claiming it was a homegrown technological achievement.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack and promised a forceful response. This incident follows a series of Houthi attacks on Israel, part of a broader campaign targeting Israeli interests, as well as disrupting Red Sea trade routes. The timing is particularly sensitive, coming just weeks before the first anniversary of the Gaza war.