Houthi Attack on Tel Aviv and Ashkelon; Israel: We Intercepted and Destroyed the Missile Launched from Yemen

On Friday, October 6, Houthi militants, supported by the Islamic Republic, announced that they targeted the cities of Tel Aviv and Ashkelon in Israel with a ballistic missile and a drone. However, the Israeli army stated that the missile launched from Yemen was intercepted and destroyed. Yahya Saree, the military spokesperson for the Houthis, announced this news and threatened that the group's operations would continue in the coming days until Israeli attacks on Gaza and Lebanon cease. These Houthi attacks occurred a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that attacks on Hezbollah would continue 'with full force' until the group stops launching missiles. He added, 'Israel's policy is clear. We will continue to attack Hezbollah with all our might and will not cease our operations until we achieve all our objectives, including the safe return of residents in the north to their homes.' As Israeli military operations against Hezbollah positions in Lebanon intensify, concerns are rising about the potential expansion of conflicts to other regions. On Tuesday, October 3, the Israeli army announced that its air force conducted hundreds of operational flights in the past day to address 'threats against Israeli civilians and to weaken Hezbollah's infrastructure and terrorist capabilities.' On Monday, October 2, 2023, Israel also targeted hundreds of Hezbollah positions in one of its largest airstrikes. Israel has warned citizens to evacuate areas believed to contain Hezbollah weapon stockpiles. Hezbollah was established in 1982 by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Several countries, including the United States, Israel, Germany, Serbia, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, and Australia, have recognized the group as a terrorist organization. Recognizing Hezbollah as a terrorist organization means not distinguishing between its political and military branches and labeling both as terrorist entities. Over the past year, following the deadly terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2022, Hezbollah has targeted northern Israel with rocket and missile attacks. Hamas, another proxy group supported by the Iranian government, massacred at least 1,200 Israeli citizens, including women, children, and the elderly, during the October 7 attack and took over 250 others hostage. This group is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the UK, Israel, Canada, Japan, and several other countries. The former Secretary-General of Hezbollah has called for the prosecution of Ali Khamenei. Blinken: Intensifying conflicts in Lebanon make it harder for civilians to return home on both sides of the border. Ongoing unrest in the Middle East; confirmation of the death of Hezbollah's drone unit commander following Netanyahu's order to continue fighting.