Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: Sean Gallup / Getty Images
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning to the Houthi rebels from Yemen following their missile strike on Israeli territory on Sunday. He vowed that Israel would make them “pay a high price” for any attempt to harm the country.
“This morning, the Houthis launched a surface-to-surface missile from Yemen onto our territory. They should know that they will pay a heavy price for any attempt to harm us. Those who need a reminder are welcome to visit the port of Hodeidah,” Netanyahu said, referring to the Israeli military’s bombing of the Yemeni port in July.
The Israeli military confirmed that a missile was launched from Yemen, but it likely disintegrated mid-flight without causing any casualties.
The Houthis, a Shia rebel group allied with Iran, claimed responsibility for launching a new “hypersonic ballistic missile,” which they said successfully hit a military target near Tel Aviv.
Since the onset of the war in Gaza, the Houthis have increased their attacks on Israel, including drone and missile strikes, as well as assaults on Israeli vessels in the Red Sea, in solidarity with the Palestinians.
In a related incident on July 19, a Houthi-claimed drone struck a building in Tel Aviv, killing one person and injuring eight. This attack prompted Israel to launch a major airstrike against Houthi military targets near the Yemeni port of Hodeidah, resulting in the deaths of at least three people and 87 injuries.
Netanyahu’s warning on Sunday referenced this prior strike, inviting the Houthis to “visit” the Yemeni port as a reminder of the consequences.
