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TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — As hostilities in other regions have quieted, including a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon, Israel continues to grapple with consistent missile threats from Gaza and now Yemen. The Houthis, aligned with Iran, have renewed their missile offensives, prompting residents across Israel to seek cover, triggering alarm among foreign airlines, and complicating the already tense atmosphere in the region.
Recent missile launches by the Houthis have become more frequent, creating anxiety among Israel’s populace and significantly impacting the nation’s economy by hindering tourism and deterring international air travel.
“It’s like musical chairs,” reflected Yoni Yovel, a resident of Tel Aviv who had previously relocated from Haifa to avoid skirmishes but found himself affected by missile fire once more.
In retaliation for these persistent threats, Israel has launched extensive airstrikes against Houthi positions, targeting their maritime and military capabilities in Sanaa. The strikes, carrying over 1,200 miles from Israeli territory, have included assaults on ports and depots used for missile and weapon storage.
Despite these Israeli countermeasures, the Houthi factions remain undeterred, with their missile and drone attacks occurring nearly daily. A recent missile strike even hit an empty school, demonstrating their reach and ability to penetrate Israel’s advanced defense systems.
While many of the Houthi projectiles have been intercepted, the randomness of the strikes poses an ongoing psychological threat, creating a state of unease within civilian areas and steadily undermining Israel’s image as a secure military authority.
Houthi attacks have not only disrupted life in Israel but also affected maritime commerce. Their actions have led to a considerable decrease in shipping traffic to Eilat as vessels are forced to take longer and costlier routes to avoid the Red Sea.
The Houthis have asserted that their attacks on shipping lanes and coastal areas serve as a statement against the ongoing conflict in Gaza, positioning themselves as part of the broader regional struggle against perceived aggression.
In an escalation of military engagement, U.S. allied forces have conducted coordinated airstrikes against Houthi positions, marking a global response to the provocations stemming from Yemen.
Notably, the conflict between Israel and the Houthis is distinct from prior confrontations with Hamas and Hezbollah, which have been more localized and familiar to Israeli intelligence. Experts suggest that the prolonged conflict in Yemen has equipped the Houthis with the resilience to withstand strikes and continue operations, emphasizing a learning curve from their ongoing military encounters.
This newfound focus on the Houthis as an ongoing threat underlines a shift in Israel’s military challenges, as traditional foes have been largely subdued, yet new adversaries emerge with capabilities that complicate Israel’s military calculus.
Some Israeli officials are acknowledging the complexity of addressing this threat effectively, noting that intelligence on Houthi activities and infrastructure remains insufficient compared to what has been developed regarding adversaries like Hamas and Hezbollah.
With ongoing missile threats from Yemen persisting, experts predict that Israel may need to recalibrate its strategic approach and prepare for a protracted engagement with this distant adversary.
“There’s no quick fix,” cautioned analyst Danny Citrinowicz, underscoring the enduring nature of this conflict. “This threat isn’t going away, even if other conflicts deescalate.”
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