Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar said on Monday that the Palestinian resistance movement is prepared for a prolonged war of attrition against Israel, following a recent missile strike by Houthi rebels in Yemen.
In a statement congratulating Houthi leader Abdel-Malek al-Houthi for the missile attack on central Israel, Sinwar asserted that Hamas, supported by Iran-aligned groups in Gaza, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen, is equipped to sustain the fight. He claimed these regional allies would "break the will of Israel."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by promising that Israel would impose a "heavy price" on the Houthis following the attacks.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea reported that the group used a new hypersonic ballistic missile capable of traveling 2,040 km (1,270 miles) in 11.5 minutes. An Israeli military official confirmed that the missile was intercepted and fragmented in mid-air, with debris landing in fields and near a railway station.
Although there were no direct casualties, nine people sustained minor injuries while seeking shelter.
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli airstrikes continued, with medical sources reporting that at least two dozen people were killed in Monday's attacks, which the Israeli military has yet to address.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned that the chances of halting the conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon appear slim, raising concerns about a potential wider regional conflict.
Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan noted the group's "high ability to continue" fighting despite losses, highlighting the recruitment of new fighters to replace those killed.
Efforts toward a ceasefire remain elusive. The United States is working "expeditiously" on a new proposal to bridge the remaining gaps between Israel and Hamas, according to State Department spokesman Matthew Miller. He also stated that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will discuss ceasefire efforts with Egyptian officials during his visit this week.
Blinken's discussions will focus on securing a ceasefire, releasing hostages, and easing the suffering of Palestinians, while also working toward broader regional stability.
Miller noted that Israel's demand to keep troops along the Gaza-Egypt border and the release of captives are key points yet to be resolved.
Independent U.N. human rights experts have cautioned that Israel risks becoming an international "pariah" due to its actions in Gaza and have urged Western nations to ensure accountability.