The Houthis have launched a missile at Israel, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions. This retaliatory strike follows an Israeli bombing in Doha, Qatar, which resulted in the deaths of at least five Hamas members. An Israeli military spokesperson confirmed that the country’s defences were "operating to intercept" the missile, which was fired from Yemen.

The missile launch comes in the wake of an Israeli attack on Hamas leaders who were meeting in Doha to discuss a peace deal proposed by Donald Trump. This deal aimed to resolve the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Doha has been a key location for peace talks, where Hamas leadership has previously engaged in diplomatic discussions.

In response to the Israeli strike, Qatar issued a strong condemnation, labelling the attack a "criminal act." Eyewitnesses reported hearing at least five explosions, with plumes of smoke rising over the city. Despite the chaos, Hamas claimed that its leadership team survived the assault.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich defended the strike, stating that it demonstrated that "terrorists do not and will not have immunity" anywhere in the world. He described the operation as the "right decision" and praised the Israeli military and counterintelligence services for their "perfect execution" of the attack.

The fallout from the attack has drawn sharp criticism from Gulf states. The United Arab Emirates, which normalised relations with Israel in 2020, condemned the strike as "cowardly." Saudi Arabia referred to it as "brutal Israeli aggression."

Qatar, which has played a crucial role in mediating peace in the Gaza conflict, expressed its outrage, stating it would "not tolerate reckless Israeli behaviour and ongoing disruption of regional security." A spokesperson for Qatar's foreign ministry condemned the attack as a "blatant violation" of international law.

In addition to the missile, reports indicate that the Houthis also launched a drone at Israel following the attack on Doha. Israeli media reported that the military intercepted a drone from Yemen near Eilat. Since March 18, the Houthis have reportedly launched 81 ballistic missiles and at least 35 drones at Israel.

The Israeli military confirmed that sirens had sounded in the Jerusalem area, southern West Bank settlements, and communities near the Dead Sea, indicating heightened alertness in response to the missile threat.