A missile launched by the Houthi rebel group from Yemen landed in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula overnight, just miles from the popular resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, according to military sources. The incident has raised alarm across the region, with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launching an immediate investigation to determine whether the missile was intended to strike Israel.
The missile’s landing site, reported to be in close proximity to the coastal tourist hub, marks an unexpected escalation in the ongoing conflict involving the Iran-backed Houthis. While no casualties or significant damage have been reported so far, the event has heightened tensions amid a backdrop of recent military actions. The United States recently conducted a large-scale bombing campaign targeting Houthi positions in Yemen, while the Israeli Air Force raised its alert level last week in response to threats of renewed missile and drone attacks from the group.
IDF officials have stated they are working to ascertain the missile’s intended target but have not yet reached a definitive conclusion. “We are investigating all possibilities, including whether this was a misfire or an intentional act aimed at Israeli territory,” an IDF spokesperson said. Sharm el-Sheikh lies near the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, approximately 200 kilometers from Israel’s southern border, making it plausible that a missile aimed at Israel could have veered off course.
The Houthis, who have intermittently targeted Israel with drones and missiles in solidarity with Palestinians during the Gaza conflict, had threatened to resume attacks following a period of relative calm tied to a ceasefire in January. This incident comes as the group’s capabilities and intentions remain under intense scrutiny by regional and international powers.
Egyptian authorities have not yet issued an official statement, but local reports indicate that security forces are assessing the site of impact. Sharm el-Sheikh, a key destination for international tourists, has not seen disruptions to its operations, though the incident is likely to spark concerns about regional stability.
The US bombing campaign against the Houthis, aimed at curbing their attacks on Red Sea shipping and military targets, has drawn mixed reactions. Some analysts suggest this missile launch could be a retaliatory move, while others speculate it may signal a broader escalation involving Iran’s proxies in the Middle East.
As the IDF continues its investigation, questions linger about the missile’s trajectory, payload, and the Houthis’ strategic objectives. Regional experts are closely watching for any response from Israel, which has conducted retaliatory strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen in recent months.
Updates will follow as this story develops.