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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-05-04 at 19:04
HEADLINES
Israel Ends Restraint, Vows Decisive Retaliation Against Iran
Iran Unveils New Missile to Bypass Defenses Amid Escalating Tensions
Yemen's Maritime Attacks Disrupt Global Trade, Cost Billions
The time is now 03:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Today, Israel has signaled a significant shift in its response to ongoing threats from Iran-backed groups, particularly after a missile attack near Ben Gurion Airport attributed to Houthi forces in Yemen. Israeli officials have declared that the period of restraint is over, emphasizing that retaliation will be conducted at a time and place of Israel’s choosing. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a firm warning, echoing former President Trump’s stance, stating that Israel will respond decisively to attacks emanating from Iran and its proxies. The Houthis, supported by Tehran, have been targeting Israeli-linked ships and infrastructure, escalating concerns over regional security and economic stability.
Meanwhile, the broader conflict involving Iran’s military posture continues to intensify across multiple fronts. Iran’s Defense Minister, Azizeh Nasir Zadeh, has issued a stark warning that Tehran will respond with force if attacked by the United States or Israel. He highlighted the development of a new missile, dubbed “Kassem Bisir,” which purportedly resists electronic warfare and can bypass ballistic missile defense systems. Tehran’s military rhetoric underscores its readiness to defend its interests and proxies, including the Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and militias in Iraq and Syria.
In Yemen, Houthi drone and missile attacks persist, draining billions from Western defense budgets while disrupting vital maritime trade routes through the Red Sea. Despite over 800 US strikes targeting Houthi positions since mid-March, the attacks continue, illustrating Iran’s strategic use of asymmetric warfare. Experts describe the Houthis’ assembly of weaponry from parts supplied by Iran—drones, guidance systems, warheads—assembled locally inside Yemen, making interception increasingly difficult and costly. The ongoing maritime campaign has caused a decline of over 50% in commercial transit through key chokepoints like Bab el-Mandeb and the Suez Canal, with significant economic repercussions for regional energy exports and global markets.
The disruption in shipping has led to a sharp increase in freight costs, with some companies profiting from the instability. Crude oil shipments from Iraq, once passing through the Red Sea, now take longer routes around Africa, pushing up prices. Egypt, heavily reliant on Suez Canal transit fees, has experienced losses exceeding five billion dollars, compounding regional economic strain. Despite early efforts to contain the crisis, Western responses have been criticized as insufficient. Analysts argue that without a sustained and strategic approach—potentially including targeting Iranian support or dismantling networks—these challenges are likely to persist for years.
In the political arena, Iran’s support for proxy groups remains a core obstacle. Experts emphasize that as long as Tehran continues supplying weapons and training, the threat posed by the Houthis and other Iranian-backed entities will endure. There is cautious speculation about potential escalation, with some proposing limited targeted operations against Iranian ships or personnel if evidence of direct support to the Houthis is confirmed. However, broad military intervention remains politically unviable in many Western capitals.
In Israel, the recent attack near Ben Gurion Airport has prompted a declaration that the era of measured responses has ended. The government vows to retaliate against Iranian and Houthi forces, signaling a possible shift toward more assertive military actions. The situation remains highly volatile, with the
Published on 5 days, 19 hours ago