Sana’a — Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced Monday that it had launched two separate attacks targeting sites inside Israel, marking a dramatic escalation in the group’s regional posture amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

In a televised statement, Houthi military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree claimed that the group had fired a new hypersonic ballistic missile, dubbed “Palestine-2,” at the city of Jaffa. 

He also said two drones were deployed to strike military positions in the southern Israeli city of Eilat, specifically in the area of Umm al-Rashrash.

“These operations are a direct response to the Israeli aggression against our people and in solidarity with the Palestinian resistance,” Saree declared. 

He warned that further attacks would follow if Israeli military actions in Gaza continued.

The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen including the capital Sana’a, have previously expressed support for Palestinian factions but rarely claimed direct attacks on Israeli territory. 

The use of a hypersonic missile, if confirmed, would represent a significant leap in the group’s military capabilities.

Israeli officials have not yet issued a formal response to the claims. 

However, defense analysts note that Israel’s air defense systems have intercepted several long-range threats in recent weeks, including drones and missiles launched from Yemen.

The announcement comes amid heightened tensions across the Middle East, with multiple actors expressing opposition to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. 

The Houthis’ involvement adds a new layer of complexity to the conflict, raising concerns about broader regional escalation.