• Yemen's Houthis have launched their first missile attack on Israel since the start of the Iran conflict.
• The Houthis warn of ongoing military operations in support of Iran and resistance groups.
• The missile strikes target sensitive military sites in southern Israel.

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis have executed their first missile strike on Israel since the beginning of the US-Israeli war against Iran, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing regional conflict. The group's military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, declared in a televised address that they had launched a barrage of ballistic missiles targeting "sensitive Israeli military sites" in southern Israel. He emphasized that "our fingers are on the trigger" and warned of direct military intervention if any new countries align with the US and Israel in their actions against Iran, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

The missile launch has been confirmed by Israeli military sources, which reported intercepting the missile and indicated no immediate casualties were recorded. This attack from Yemen comes amidst broader regional tensions, as Iran and its allies, including the Houthis, respond to escalating US and Israeli military actions against them, particularly following the war's commencement. Saree noted that the Houthis' operations would persist until the aggression against Iran and its regional allies ceases, reports Le Monde and Channel News Asia.

The Houthis had previously avoided direct intervention in the regional conflict but have now indicated a clear willingness to retaliate against Israeli and US actions. The strikes are reportedly in support of the "axis of resistance" including groups in Lebanon and Iraq, as well as a response to raids conducted against civilians in Gaza, according to Anadolu Agency and India Times.

This significant military action not only marks the Houthis' entry into the conflict but also raises concerns about the potential for broader regional escalation. Their ability to disrupt shipping in the Red Sea had previously resulted in significant economic impacts, and analysts warn that renewed Houthi actions could further threaten critical maritime trade routes. Attacks on shipping have constrained over $1 trillion in goods that pass through these waters annually, as noted by Middle East Eye and Al Jazeera.