What's happened
Since early August, Yemen's Houthi rebels have launched multiple missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, including intercepting missiles near Tel Aviv and threatening maritime shipping. The attacks follow a series of strikes and threats linked to the Gaza conflict and Iran-backed support.
What's behind the headline?
The recent escalation reflects the Houthis' strategic shift towards targeting Israel directly and maritime shipping routes, leveraging their support from Iran. Their threats to all ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden aim to disrupt global trade worth over $1 trillion annually, exerting pressure on Israel and its allies. The attacks, including the interception of missiles near Tel Aviv and threats to merchant ships, demonstrate a calculated effort to escalate the conflict beyond Yemen and Gaza. This escalation could provoke broader regional instability, especially if Israel responds with increased military action in Yemen or against Houthi infrastructure. The US and international community face a complex challenge: balancing efforts to prevent maritime attacks while avoiding further regional escalation. The Houthis' actions are likely to continue influencing regional security dynamics, with potential for further attacks on shipping and Israeli targets, especially if Iran's support remains active.
What the papers say
The Times of Israel reports multiple missile interceptions and Houthi claims of targeting Ben Gurion Airport, highlighting the group's ongoing missile campaign since March 2025. The New Arab and AP News detail the threat to maritime shipping, with the Houthis sinking ships and warning of attacks on all vessels dealing with Israeli ports, citing their support for Palestinians and escalation of their naval blockade. The NY Post and The Independent emphasize the broader strategic context, noting the US's recent deal with the Houthis to end airstrikes but acknowledging the group's continued attacks on shipping, which they justify as acts of solidarity with Palestinians. Human Rights Watch condemns the attacks on civilian ships as war crimes, underscoring the severity of the maritime escalation. Overall, these sources collectively portray a pattern of increased Houthi aggression aimed at Israel and maritime targets, driven by Iran-backed support and regional tensions.
How we got here
The Houthis, an Iran-backed rebel group in Yemen, began attacking Israel and maritime traffic in November 2023, in response to the Gaza war and in solidarity with Palestinians. They have launched over 100 attacks, including missiles, drones, and sinking ships, despite US and international efforts to curb their actions. The group also announced a naval blockade targeting ships linked to Israel, threatening to attack vessels regardless of their origin or destination.
Go deeper
Common question
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Why Are Houthi Attacks Increasing Against Israel?
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What’s Behind the Recent Houthi Attacks on Israel?
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More on these topics
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The Houthi movement, officially called Ansar Allah and colloquially simply Houthis, is an Islamic political and armed movement that emerged from Sa'dah in northern Yemen in the 1990s.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Yemen, officially the Republic of Yemen, is a country at the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is the second-largest Arab sovereign state in the peninsula, occupying 527,970 square kilometres.
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Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, known also as Hellas, is a country located in Southeast Europe. Its population is approximately 10.7 million as of 2018; Athens, the nation's capital, is its largest city, followed by Thessaloniki.
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The Israel Defense Forces, commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal, are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force, and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has