
(DailyVantage.com) – Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched a ballistic missile at Israel during the night of Christmas Eve into Christmas Day, causing widespread alarms and sending millions of Israelis into bomb shelters for the second consecutive night. The missile was successfully intercepted outside of Israel’s domestic airspace, but falling shrapnel from the interception posed risks to populated areas below.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the interception and noted that sirens were activated across central Israel as a precautionary measure due to the risk of debris. Warnings covered a broader area than in previous incidents, reflecting new safety protocols after delayed alerts during earlier attacks.
This marked the second consecutive night and the fourth instance in less than a week that the Houthis targeted Israel, escalating a campaign that has become a near-nightly threat. Despite prior counterattacks by Israel earlier this month aimed at deterring the Houthis, the assaults have persisted. Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, has hinted at plans to target Houthi leaders in future strikes, though Yemen’s distance—over 2,000 kilometers from Israel—complicates such operations.
The Houthis, delisted as a terrorist organization by President Joe Biden in 2021, continue to receive support from Iran. The delisting has been a subject of criticism, particularly given the group’s escalating aggression in the region. This ongoing threat highlights the complexity of addressing security concerns tied to Iranian proxies operating across the Middle East.
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