Daijiworld Media Network - Sanaa

Sanaa, Aug 18: Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed they launched a hypersonic ballistic missile at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv on Sunday, marking a dramatic escalation in the regional fallout from the ongoing war in Gaza.

The strike, which the Houthis described as retaliation for an Israeli attack on a power station in southern Sanaa, was announced by military spokesperson Yahya Sarea on the group’s al-Masirah TV. According to Sarea, the missile "successfully hit its target," forcing mass evacuations and suspending operations at Israel's busiest airport.

The Israeli military, however, confirmed only that a missile had been intercepted after being launched from Yemen, with no reported injuries or damage. Sirens were triggered in several regions as air defences responded to the incoming threat.

Hours earlier, Israel had carried out airstrikes on what it described as infrastructure linked to the Houthis in Sanaa, including a key power facility. Local authorities in the Yemeni capital reported that electricity generators at the Hezyaz power station were destroyed in the assault, though no casualties were reported.

This latest tit-for-tat exchange comes amid a sustained campaign by the Houthis to attack Israeli targets in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Since November 2023, the group has launched dozens of drone and missile attacks toward Israel, most of which have been intercepted by Israeli air defences.

Just a day prior, on August 15, the Houthis claimed responsibility for four drone attacks on Israeli cities including Haifa, Negev, Eilat, and Be’er Sheva. These, too, were framed as acts of protest against Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza.

The Houthis, who control large swathes of northern Yemen, have also resumed maritime attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in recent months, targeting commercial vessels they claim are linked to Israel.

While Israel has largely succeeded in neutralizing the direct threats so far, the Houthis’ growing involvement underscores the wider regional dimension of the Israel-Hamas conflict. The persistent strikes — both aerial and maritime — are deepening instability across the Middle East and complicating international efforts to reduce tensions.

The exchange of fire between the Houthis and Israel signals a dangerous new chapter in the conflict, as non-state actors increasingly draw international flashpoints into their orbit.