Israeli Army Intercepts Long-Range Missile in Red Sea Region

On Thursday, February 22, the Israeli army announced that its "Arrow" defense system intercepted a long-range ballistic missile in the Red Sea region after warning sirens sounded in the southern city of Eilat. According to the Israeli army, the missile was launched from the southeast toward the airspace of the country and was intercepted outside Israel's borders. Eilat, a resort city on the Red Sea, has been targeted by Houthi attacks supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran in Yemen, who have claimed they are attacking ships in the Red Sea and surrounding waters in support of Hamas, which is also backed by the Iranian government. On Thursday, February 22, the Houthis officially warned shipping lines and insurance companies that vessels associated with Israel, the United States, and Britain should not operate in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and the Sea of Oman. According to Reuters, the Houthis also announced on Thursday that they would use "submarines" in their attacks on ships in the surrounding waters. The U.S. State Department condemned the Houthi attacks on civilian cargo ships, stating that "the irresponsible and indiscriminate attacks by the Houthis endanger the lives of innocent sailors, disrupt maritime trade, and increasingly threaten the security and stability of the region." The U.S. State Department also labeled the Houthis' behavior as "terroristic" and added that their attacks have dire humanitarian and economic consequences, causing price increases and delays in the delivery of essential humanitarian items such as food and medicine in areas that need them most. The State Department emphasized that contrary to the Houthis' claims, their attacks do not help the Palestinians. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) also reported on Wednesday the destruction of nine Houthi missiles, launchers, and drones. According to CENTCOM's statement, seven mobile anti-ship cruise missiles and one mobile anti-ship ballistic missile launcher prepared to fire toward the Red Sea were destroyed in four attacks. The statement added that CENTCOM also shot down a Houthi suicide drone during self-defense operations. CENTCOM identified these Houthi weapons as an "imminent threat" to commercial vessels and U.S. naval ships in the region, stating that their destruction was aimed at protecting freedom of navigation and making international waters safer for ships present in the area.