Israel faces new missile threat after Houthi attack

Israel has been facing ongoing missile attacks from the Yemen-based Houthi group for nearly two years, significantly impacting the lives of millions of Israelis who often find themselves taking refuge in bomb shelters during the night. On one occasion, a Houthi missile struck near Ben Gurion Airport, a target previously hit earlier this year, demonstrating the persistent threat posed by the Iranian-backed group. Despite Israel's extensive defense systems, including THAAD, Arrow-3, and David's Sling, the Iron Dome was unable to successfully intercept the missile during this incident, leading to increased concern over the capability of Houthi forces. Israel is currently preparing for a large-scale military response to the Houthi threat, with plans for extensive strikes aimed at crippling the group’s military and infrastructure capabilities. Following the recent missile attack, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are focusing on a list of strategic targets to ensure that the Houthi campaign does not continue unabated. The Houthi's missile campaign has persisted despite previous retaliatory actions taken by Israel against their facilities in Yemen, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the IDF. A recent attempt by Israeli forces to eliminate Houthi military leadership included an operation targeting Chief of Staff Muhammad Abdel Karim al-Roumari, who was meeting with key officials at the time. However, this assassination attempt failed, illustrating the difficulties in effectively mitigating the threats posed by the Houthis. The ongoing conflict has created a situation where civilian safety remains a primary concern amidst military operations. Additionally, international efforts led by the United States, such as Operation Rough Rider aimed at countering Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, have not achieved significant success. After over 1,000 U.S. airstrikes resulted in the deaths of numerous Houthi operatives, the U.S. ultimately abandoned the operation, with former President Donald Trump opting for diplomatic negotiations to resolve issues with the Houthis rather than pursuing a military victory. This shift in tactics has left Israel to confront the direct consequences of ongoing and escalating Houthi aggression independently.