Israel intercepted a Houthi missile targeting Tel Aviv as Trump ordered devastating airstrikes on Yemen, fueling fears of a broader Middle East conflict

Israel was jolted into chaos early Thursday morning after a missile fired by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels targeted Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Air-raid sirens blared across major cities as Israeli defence systems scrambled to intercept the missile, which the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed was successfully neutralized before entering Israeli airspace. The attack marked the second missile strike aimed at Israel since the fragile ceasefire with Hamas collapsed earlier this week.

The Houthis quickly claimed responsibility, declaring the missile was launched in retaliation for Israel’s renewed bombardment of Gaza, which has killed nearly 500 Palestinians since the truce broke down. The rebels also claimed the missile’s intended target was Ben Gurion International Airport, Israel’s largest and busiest aviation hub.

Sirens echoed across Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as terrified residents sought shelter. Israeli officials reported no casualties, but the attack underscored the growing instability in the region. Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdul Salam warned that further strikes on Israeli and American targets would follow unless Israel halted its assault on Gaza.

The escalation didn’t stop there. The Houthis also claimed to have fired a wave of ballistic and cruise missiles, along with drones, at US warships in the Red Sea, including the USS Harry Truman. The extent of the damage remains unclear, but the attack signals a dangerous shift in the conflict’s scope.

In response, the United States launched a punishing wave of airstrikes on Houthi strongholds across Yemen. American fighter jets struck multiple sites in the capital, Sanaa, as well as Al-Jawf, Hodeidah, and Saada. US President Donald Trump, in a defiant post on Truth Social, warned the Houthis that they “will be completely annihilated” if the attacks continue. Trump justified the strikes as a necessary measure to protect global trade routes in the Red Sea, which the Houthis have repeatedly disrupted with attacks on shipping vessels.

The Houthi-controlled health ministry reported that the US strikes injured at least seven women and two children. Widespread destruction was reported across Sanaa and other cities, with local media broadcasting images of bloodied children, collapsed buildings, and rescue workers searching through rubble. US Central Command confirmed that operations were ongoing but declined to disclose specific targets. Reports suggest that American strikes have killed at least 53 people in Yemen over the past week, including civilians.

The rapidly intensifying conflict has sparked fears of a broader regional war. Israel’s renewed offensive in Gaza, coupled with the Houthi missile attacks and US retaliation, has reignited tensions with Iran-backed groups across the region. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that Gaza’s residents would “pay the full price” until Hamas surrenders. Trump also issued a stark warning to Iran, demanding that it cease supplying weapons to the Houthis or face severe consequences.

“Tremendous damage has been inflicted upon the Houthi barbarians,” Trump said. “Watch how it will get progressively worse.”

Meanwhile, Gaza remains in crisis. More than 400 people were killed in a single day earlier this week, making it one of the deadliest days since the war began. Aid groups warn that Gaza’s hospitals are overwhelmed and facing critical shortages of medical supplies. Israel’s ongoing blockade of aid deliveries has pushed the region to the brink of famine.

As the conflict spirals, the international community fears that any misstep could trigger a full-scale regional war. The question remains—how much longer can the Middle East withstand this mounting chaos?