On Sunday, Israel was struck by a hypersonic ballistic missile launched by Yemen’s Houthis, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. The missile traveled over 2,000 kilometers, landing in an open area in central Israel. Despite activating two defense systems—Iron Dome and Arrow—Israel’s air defenses failed to intercept the missile, a concerning development given its range and speed.

This is the longest-range missile ever to hit Israeli territory. The Houthis claim it is a domestically produced hypersonic missile, although they have historically relied on Iranian support for weapons and training. Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has vowed retaliation, emphasizing that Israel will exact a “heavy price” for any attacks on its territory.