What's happened
In recent days, the Houthi rebels from Yemen have launched multiple missile attacks targeting Israel, including a significant strike on Jaffa. This escalation follows Israel's military operations against Iranian positions, marking a new phase in the ongoing conflict involving regional powers and their proxies.
What's behind the headline?
Key Insights
- Regional Dynamics: The Houthi missile strikes are part of a broader strategy by Iran to leverage its proxies against Israel, particularly in response to Israeli military actions in the region.
- Military Strategy: The Houthis have demonstrated their capability to strike deep into Israeli territory, indicating a shift in their operational strategy and a potential increase in Iranian support.
- International Implications: The ongoing conflict could draw in more international actors, particularly the US, which has already conducted strikes against Houthi positions. This could escalate tensions further in the region.
- Humanitarian Concerns: The conflict exacerbates the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, where the Houthis control significant territory, including vital ports used for aid delivery. Continued military actions could hinder humanitarian efforts and worsen the situation for civilians.
- Future Outlook: As both sides continue to engage in military actions, the potential for a broader regional conflict increases. The international community must pay close attention to these developments to mitigate further escalation.
What the papers say
The New York Post reported that the Houthis targeted Jaffa with ballistic missiles, claiming their actions were in support of oppressed Palestinian and Iranian peoples. The Times of Israel highlighted that the Houthis are part of Iran's Axis of Resistance, which aims to counter Israeli actions. AP News noted that the Israeli military's response included naval strikes against Houthi-controlled ports, marking a significant escalation in military engagement. The South China Morning Post emphasized the strategic importance of Hodeida port, which is crucial for humanitarian aid but also used by the Houthis for military purposes. These sources collectively illustrate the complex interplay of military actions and humanitarian implications in the ongoing conflict.
How we got here
The conflict has intensified since the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, which prompted retaliatory strikes from Israel against Iranian and Houthi targets. The Houthis, aligned with Iran, have been launching missile attacks on Israel in support of Palestinian groups, particularly during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of the Houthi attacks?
- How is Israel responding to the missile strikes?
- What is the current situation in Yemen?
Common question
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What Led to Israel's Missile Strikes on Houthi Targets in Yemen?
On June 10, 2025, Israel escalated its military engagement by launching missile strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen. This action raises questions about the motivations behind these strikes and their implications for regional stability, especially in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Below, we explore key questions surrounding this significant development.
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What triggered the recent Houthi missile attacks on Israel?
The recent escalation in Middle East tensions has raised numerous questions about the motivations behind the Houthi missile attacks on Israel. Understanding the context and implications of these events is crucial for grasping the broader conflict dynamics in the region.
More on these topics
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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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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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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
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The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
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Human Rights Watch is an international non-governmental organization, headquartered in New York City, that conducts research and advocacy on human rights.
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Iran, also called Persia, and officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered to the northwest by Armenia and Azerbaijan, to the north by the Caspian Sea, to the northeast by Turkmenistan, to the east by Afghanistan a