The Israeli military deployed missile boats to the Red Sea. The decision came in response to the missile and drone attacks claimed by the Houthi movement, which is aligned with Iran. The group further promised additional attacks in the future.
Following the onset of the Palestine-Israel war on October 7, the Houthi movement has claimed responsibility for three drone and missile strikes targeting Israel. The group expressed their intentions to continue these attacks, stating their aim is “to help the Palestinians to victory.” In a recent development, the Israeli military reported an interception of an “aerial threat” over the Red Sea.
Israel’s Stance on the Houthi Offensives
While Tzachi Hanegbi, the Israeli National Security Adviser, deemed the Houthi-initiated attacks as unacceptable, he refrained from detailing potential Israeli counteractions. The Houthi group, known to oppose Israel and the United States, is affiliated with the Iran-aligned regional alliance, which also encompasses Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Iran-supported militias in Iraq.
Read: Houthi Rebels Intensify Attacks on Israel in Response to Gaza Operations
Despite governing vast regions in Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa, the Houthi movement operates from a location over a thousand miles away from Israel. Missiles and drones launched from the Red Sea vicinity targeting Israel since October 7 have been either intercepted or failed to reach their targets. Notably, on October 27, Israel attributed a drone strike, which resulted in explosions in two Egyptian Red Sea towns, to the Houthis, suggesting the intended target had been Israel itself.
