Daijiworld Media Network - Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Sep 7: The Israeli military announced on Sunday that it intercepted three drones launched from Yemen, marking the latest escalation in a series of aerial threats emanating from the region.

In a brief statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were intercepted before entering Israeli airspace, without providing further details on the method or location of the interceptions. “The Israel Air Force intercepted three UAVs that made their way from Yemen,” the statement read.

No group has claimed responsibility for the drones; however, suspicion immediately fell on Yemen’s Houthi movement, which has previously launched missile and drone attacks toward Israel in what it claims is retaliation for Israeli military operations in Gaza.

Earlier on Sunday morning, two rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip toward southern Israel, triggering air raid sirens in Netivot and nearby communities. One of the projectiles was intercepted, and the other landed in an open area, causing no reported injuries or damage. The IDF confirmed that the launches came from central Gaza, continuing a pattern of low-intensity but persistent rocket fire from the enclave.

Since November 2023, the Houthis, who control large swathes of northern Yemen, have steadily escalated missile and drone attacks on Israel. Their operations are framed as part of a broader campaign of solidarity with Palestinians amid the war in Gaza. In response, Israel has conducted airstrikes on Houthi-controlled targets, including Sanaa and Hodeidah, intensifying the regional scope of the conflict.

Most notably, tensions surged after an Israeli airstrike in Sanaa on August 30 killed Ahmed al-Rahawi, the Houthi-backed Prime Minister, along with several other senior ministers. The Houthis confirmed the deaths and vowed “severe retaliation.” This marks a significant escalation, as Israel has typically targeted Houthi military infrastructure, rather than top political leadership.

Earlier this week, Israel said it intercepted a long-range missile launched from Yemen, triggering sirens as far as Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank. Though no casualties were reported, the event underlined the growing reach and sophistication of Houthi missile capabilities. The Magen David Adom emergency service confirmed that no injuries occurred in the recent incidents.

The series of attacks points to a widening conflict theatre, with the Yemen-Israel axis becoming increasingly active. The Houthis’ actions also align with the agendas of Iran-backed groups across the Middle East, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and militias in Iraq and Syria, who have voiced or taken action in support of Gaza.

The Red Sea and southern Arabian Peninsula are now under heightened surveillance by Israeli and allied forces due to the Houthis’ growing use of long-range drones and missiles, some of which may target strategic infrastructure or shipping lanes.