During the weekly cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of a significant response following a Houthi missile that breached Israeli airspace early Sunday morning.

Netanyahu attributed the provocation to Iran, accusing the Islamic Republic of seeking Israel’s destruction.

Netanyahu emphasized that Israel is engaged in a multi-front campaign against what he described as Iran’s axis of evil. He warned that any attempt to attack Israel would incur a severe cost.

He also referenced the Israeli Air Force’s strike on the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah in July, suggesting that those who need a reminder of Israel’s resolve should consider that attack.

The missile fired by the Houthis was intercepted near Eilat, Israel’s southernmost point on the Red Sea. Houthi spokesman Yahya Sare’e claimed the missile was hypersonic and traveled about 2,000 kilometers (1,250 miles) in 11.5 minutes, hitting its target.

Israel stated that the missile was destroyed mid-air, with debris falling in an open area. Pictures from the scene showed a fire burning in a field, but it remains unclear if missile fragments or interceptors caused the fire.

This incident marks the furthest a Houthi missile has penetrated Israeli territory. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are investigating the event and acknowledged that the missile defense systems, including Arrow and Iron Dome, did not perform as anticipated.

Initial findings suggest the missile fragmented mid-air. The IDF has confirmed that the missile was not hypersonic.

Jerusalem Post senior Middle East Correspondent Seth Frantzman noted that the attack highlights Iran and its proxies’ continued aggression, despite the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Netanyahu, addressing the cabinet, acknowledged the challenging situation, particularly in northern Israel, and vowed that the current circumstances would not persist.