Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for a series of audacious attacks targeting the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) headquarters in Tel Aviv, deploying advanced Sammad-4 drones and Yafa ballistic missiles.
This unprecedented assault marks a significant escalation in the Houthis’ campaign against Israel, signaling a dangerous new phase in the ongoing regional conflict. The strikes, which reportedly aimed at strategic military sites, have heightened tensions and prompted a swift response from Israeli defense systems, raising concerns about further escalation in the Middle East.
Houthi Strikes Target IDF Headquarters in Tel Aviv
The Houthi movement, which controls significant portions of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, announced the attacks through its military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, in a televised statement.
Saree claimed the operation utilized a combination of Sammad-4 drones, known for their long-range capabilities, and Yafa ballistic missiles, which the Houthis assert can evade advanced air defense systems. “Our forces have successfully targeted the Zionist enemy’s military headquarters in the occupied Yaffa area,” Saree declared, referring to Tel Aviv’s Jaffa district. He described the strikes as a response to Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza and vowed to continue attacks until Israel stops its aggression on Gaza and lifts the siege.
The Israeli military confirmed that Houthi forces launched multiple projectiles from Yemen, which triggered air raid sirens across central Israel, including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and surrounding areas.
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The IDF reported that its air defenses, including the Arrow missile defense system and Iron Dome, intercepted several projectiles. However, the military acknowledged that at least one missile evaded defenses and caused minor damage to a residential area near Tel Aviv. Israeli emergency services treated several individuals for minor injuries, mainly from glass shards and accidents while they rushed to bomb shelters.
The Houthis demonstrated a significant leap in their operational capabilities with this attack. They deployed the Sammad-4 drone, an upgraded version of the Iranian-designed Samad-3, which can fly more than 1,800 kilometers on long-range missions. They also used the Yafa ballistic missile, which the group touts as a “hypersonic” weapon capable of bypassing radar detection.
Israeli military analysts, however, have disputed claims of hypersonic capabilities, noting that the missiles lack the maneuverability associated with such advanced systems. Nevertheless, the ability to strike Tel Aviv from Yemen, over 2,000 kilometers away, underscores the growing sophistication of Houthi weaponry, likely bolstered by Iranian support.
Israeli Defense Response and Damage Assessment
The Houthis’ escalation comes amid heightened regional tensions tied to the Gaza conflict, which reignited in March 2025 after a fragile ceasefire collapsed. Since then, the Houthis have launched over 70 ballistic missiles and dozens of drones at Israel, with previous attacks targeting Ben Gurion Airport and other strategic sites.
A notable July 2024 drone strike on Tel Aviv killed one civilian and wounded several others, prompting Israel’s first retaliatory strikes on Houthi-controlled infrastructure in Yemen’s Hodeidah port. The latest assault on the IDF headquarters appears to be a direct response to Israel’s recent airstrikes on Sanaa and Hodeidah, which killed several Houthi officials and caused significant damage to military and economic infrastructure.
International reactions to the Houthi attacks have been swift. The United States, which leads Operation Prosperity Guardian to protect Red Sea shipping from Houthi attacks, condemned the strikes as “reckless acts of terrorism.”
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The U.S. has intensified its airstrikes on Houthi targets in recent months, with reports indicating the presence of Iranian Revolutionary Guard advisors in Yemen aiding Houthi operations. Iran, however, has denied direct involvement, with its defense minister warning that any attacks on Iranian interests would provoke a severe response. The Southern Transitional Council, a Yemeni faction opposed to the Houthis, labeled the Tel Aviv attack a “blatant act of terrorism” and called for international action to curb Houthi aggression.
Israel’s response to the latest strikes is expected to be forceful. Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed that the Houthis would “pay dearly” for their actions, hinting at further military operations in Yemen. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking from the IDF’s Kirya base in Tel Aviv, emphasized coordination with the U.S. and signaled that Israel’s retaliation would target both Houthi infrastructure and their Iranian backers. “Those who attack us will face consequences at a time and place of our choosing,” Netanyahu stated.
Houthi Strikes and Israeli Defense Response
The Houthis’ ability to project power far beyond Yemen’s borders has raised alarm about the potential for a broader regional conflict. Their attacks have already disrupted global trade, with Red Sea shipping routes severely impacted, forcing many commercial vessels to reroute around Africa. The economic toll, coupled with the strategic challenge posed by the Houthis’ growing arsenal, has placed pressure on Israel and its allies to develop a coordinated response.
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As the conflict escalates, analysts warn that the Houthis’ alignment with Iran’s “Axis of Resistance” could draw other regional actors, including Hezbollah and Iraqi militias, into a wider confrontation. For now, the international community watches closely as Israel prepares its next move, with the specter of a multi-front conflict looming over the Middle East.