Israeli FM: Houthi Drones Exploded in Egypt Intended to Hit Targets in Israel

Israeli officials said Friday that Yemen's Ansar Allah Houthi group was responsible for the drone explosions that fell in two Egyptian towns in the Sinai Peninsula, which borders Israel. These explosions in Egyptian territories illustrated the risk of regional spillover from the Israel-Gaza conflict, which began on October 7.

Israel's foreign ministry stated that the Iran-backed Houthi group launched drones and missiles "with the intention of harming Israel". This is the second time Israeli officials accuse the Houthis of firing drones and missiles that aim to reach targets in Israel.

Egyptian authorities said yesterday, Friday, one drone crashed in a building in Taba, and caused six injuries.  The second drone was intercepted and fell in Nuweiba, about 70 km from the Israeli border.

So far, there has been no claim for responsibility. Though Israel pointed the finger of accusation at the Houthis, the latter has neither confirmed nor denied.  

On October 19, the Pentagon's Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said three land attack cruise missiles and several drones fired from Yemen had been downed. The missiles and drones were heading north along the Red Sea, potentially towards targets in Israel, he said. At the time, Israeli media said the Houthi group fired those missiles and drones to target Israel.

Sources told Sheba Intelligence that the Houthi missiles were fired on October 19 from Abs area in Hajjah to the north of Yemen and the drones from Al-Luhaya District in Al-Hudaydah to the west of Yemen.

The Houthi movement chief Abdulmalek Al-Houthi said on October 10 would intervene in the Gaza-Israel conflict if the United States intervenes. He said his group would respond to any US intervention in Gaza with drones, missiles, and other military options.

Over the past weeks, Sheba Intelligence has monitored the movements of the Houthi missile force and drones in preparation for engaging in the Israel-Gaza war at the request of Iran. The group has deployed military forces and equipment in five centers: Al-Hudaydah, Taiz-Al-Bayda, Al-Jawf, Sa'ada-Amran, and Sanaa.

The Houthi involvement in the Israel-Gaza war risks ruining the peace talks in Yemen. Last week, the US Special Envoy to Yemen said that he is afraid the crisis in Gaza is threatening progress toward peace between the Houthis and the government. He said the prospect of the country being drawn into the conflict between Israel and Hamas is his "worst fear".