Business Insider reported that the Houthis drew the word "hypersonic" in English on the missile launched at Israel on September 15. However, the Israeli military poured cold water on the Houthi statement that this was a hypersonic weapon.
On September 16, the Houthis released a video that was said to record a new missile launch on Israel on September 15. The Houthis claim the Palestine 2 missile is hypersonic, has stealth technology and is highly mobile, surpassing advanced air defense systems.
The video shows the Houthis even writing the red "supersonic" on the side of the missile.
The Houthis also claimed responsibility for the attack on a "respected" military site in Israel with a "new hypersonic ballistic missile" - which flew 1,900km in about 11 minutes and 30 seconds. That shows the Houthi missile reaching hypersonic speeds, at least five times the speed of sound.
Such speeds are not uncommon for ballistic missiles, but hypersonic weapons are not really all about speed.
According to Israeli media, the Israeli air force determined that the missile was not hypersonic as the Houthis claimed. The missile flies in a fixed and in non-motor trajectory while flying, meaning it lacks the main characteristics of hypersonic weapons.
Iran, which has long provided weapons to the Houthis, has revealed what it says is a hypersonic ballistic missile, but Tehran has denied supplying the Houthis with the weapons.
A Pentagon spokesman said the US confirmed the Houthis fired a ballistic missile.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), a surface-to-surface missile was launched from Yemen into Israel early on September 15. Initial investigation shows that the missile was likely to break mid-flight.
"The Arrow and Iron Dome air defense systems intercepted the missile and the results are being analyzed," the IDF said in a statement on Telegram.
The Arrow and Iron Dome are designed to withstand long- and short-range attacks. The IDF said debris from the interceptor missile fell in open areas and at a train station.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later said the Houthis would pay a heavy price.
The Houthis have carried out a number of attacks on Israel since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a massive attack that escalated fighting in Gaza.
The Houthis also fired missiles and drones at commercial transport routes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
