Israeli Army Denies Houthi Claims of Hypersonic Missile Launch

The Israeli army, in its preliminary report regarding the missile fired by Yemeni Houthis at Israel on Sunday, rejected the group's claim that the missile was 'hypersonic.' The army stated that Israel's enemies 'do not possess supersonic missiles.' Meanwhile, following statements from the Israeli Prime Minister about the upcoming response to the Houthi missile attack, Israeli media reported that the Israeli Air Force has presented its pre-prepared plans for an attack in Yemen to Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet, with a decision expected in the cabinet meeting on Monday, September 26. Yahya Saree, the spokesman for Ansar Allah, the military branch of the Houthis, stated on Sunday, September 25, that the fired missile was of a new model and of the 'hypersonic' type, which Israeli and American air defenses could not intercept. Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, the leader of the Houthis, also referred to the missile launch in a speech on Sunday as the group entering the 'fifth phase' of operations against Israel since the onset of the Gaza war, indicating that further actions against Israel are forthcoming. The Israeli army confirmed that its multi-layered air defense systems: 'Khets 2,' 'Khets 3,' and the 'Iron Dome' were activated to counter the missile heading towards Israeli airspace but could not fully neutralize it. The army added that the missiles fired from the defense systems hit 'part' of the Houthi missiles, causing them to explode in the sky. However, the warhead of the missile created a large crater upon hitting an open area in central Israel, specifically around 'Kfar Daniel,' which is six kilometers from the large perimeter of Ben Gurion Airport. The army emphasized that the results of the interception are still under review. The falling debris from the missiles and parts of the Houthi missile also led to several fires, including in a conveyor belt producing cement at a height of 15 meters in the 'Neshar' cement factory in the city of 'Ramla,' as well as breaking several upper glasses from an escalator in an intercity train in the 'Pati Modi'in' area in central Israel. Factory managers stated that the fire was contained and production was not harmed. Israel has developed a countermeasure system for 'hypersonic' missiles that is still under completion. Benjamin Netanyahu stated in the cabinet meeting on Sunday that Israel would make the Houthis 'pay a heavy price.' He reminded everyone of the port of Hodeidah. Netanyahu's reference was to the Israeli attack on Hodeidah on July 30 of this year, one day after the Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv that killed an Israeli citizen. Many facilities in the port of Hodeidah were destroyed in the Israeli attack. The Houthis had not responded to the attack in Hodeidah for eight weeks. According to Yedioth Ahronoth and Channel 12, Israel aims to restore its deterrent capability by attacking the Houthis in the near future to avoid facing erosion. Meanwhile, the Israeli economic site Calcalist reported that Rafael's defense and arms industries have been developing an interception system to counter 'hypersonic' missiles for some time, but it has not yet been operational in the army. According to this report, Rafael Industries announced last year that it was continuing its efforts to complete the 'Slingshot' project. A missile that flies at five times the speed of sound or more is called 'hypersonic.' A senior Israeli military official stated on Sunday that the country must consider the possibility of its enemies using such missiles. Russia used 'hypersonic' missiles for the first time in its war in Ukraine. According to Calcalist, Israel needs to investigate whether the missile used by the Houthis, allied with Tehran, is 'hypersonic,' and whether this indicates a strengthening of recent military cooperation between Russia and Iran. The Houthis, connected with Tehran and Hezbollah, have initiated harassment operations against shipping in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab, and the Gulf of Aden since the onset of the Gaza war to support the extremist group Hamas, and have also sought to launch long-range missiles and drones directly at Israel. Hamas and Ansar Allah are recognized as terrorist organizations by the United States and some other countries.