Iran-backed Houthis wade into Middle East conflict with Israel strike

Iran-backed Houthis launched a missile attack on Israel early Saturday morning, which Israeli officials said they intercepted with no reported casualties. The strike represents the militant group's first direct military action in the conflict, coming hours after they threatened to enter the fighting if certain conditions were met, including concerns over Israel's regional alliances. The attack signals a potential expansion of the conflict beyond its current scope and increases the risk of broader regional escalation involving multiple Iran-aligned forces. The Houthis, based in Yemen, have previously conducted drone and missile operations in the Red Sea but have largely avoided direct engagement with Israeli targets until now. The incident underscores how the conflict continues to draw in external actors and raises tensions across the Middle East.