Houthi ballistic missile intercepted over Israel’s Negev desert as regional tensions soar

WEB DESK: Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched a ballistic missile towards Israel in the early hours of Saturday morning, marking a significant escalation in the group’s involvement in the current regional conflict.

The long-range projectile was successfully neutralised by Israeli air defence systems over the sparsely populated Negev region, according to military officials, according to the Guardians.

While the interception triggered sirens across several southern districts, authorities confirmed that there were no casualties or physical damage reported on the ground.

Red Sea shipping at risk as maritime security fears deepen

The direct strike follows a series of increasingly bellicose warnings from the Houthi leadership, who have frequently targeted international shipping lanes in retaliation for the ongoing military situation in the Middle East.

This latest development has sent ripples through global markets, raising urgent concerns over the safety of the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

As a vital artery for the world’s energy supplies and maritime trade, any further disruption to this chokepoint could lead to a sharp spike in oil prices and prolonged delays for cargo vessels.

Analysts warned on Saturday that if the Houthis continue to broaden their target range beyond the Red Sea, the risk of a wider, more volatile confrontation remains at an all-time high.