Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that Yemen’s Houthi rebels will “pay a heavy price” after a missile fired by the group struck central Israel on Sunday. The missile, which landed in an unpopulated area, caused damage but no injuries, marking the first time a Houthi-fired missile has reached this far into the country.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are investigating how the missile, launched from approximately 2,000 kilometers away, was able to bypass Israel’s air defense systems. According to the Houthis, the attack was carried out using a new hypersonic missile, potentially explaining why Israel’s Iron Dome and other defense systems failed to intercept it.

The Houthis, who identify as part of an Iran-led “axis of resistance” against Israel, claimed the attack was launched in solidarity with Palestinians. The group warned of further strikes as the one-year anniversary of the Hamas-led massacre in Israel, which ignited the current Gaza conflict, approaches on October 7.

Netanyahu responded with a stern warning, reminding the Houthis of Israel’s capacity for reprisal. “The Houthis should have known by now that we exact a heavy price for any attempt to harm us,” the Prime Minister stated. “Anyone who attacks us will not escape from our arms,” he added, hinting at imminent retaliation.

The last major Houthi attack on Israel occurred in July, resulting in one death and eight injuries in Tel Aviv. In response, Israel launched a deadly airstrike on the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah. This latest missile strike sets the stage for further escalation in the region, as Israel prepares for potential future attacks.