Missile fired from Yemen intercepted by Israel's 'Arrow' system

Israel’s military reported that a surface-to-surface missile fired from Yemen struck an uninhabited area in central Israel, causing no casualties.

Air raid sirens had earlier sounded in Tel Aviv and other parts of central Israel, sending residents scrambling for shelters.

"Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in central Israel, a surface-to-surface missile was identified crossing into central Israel from the east and fell in an open area. No injuries were reported," the military stated.

Loud explosions were heard in the region, which the military attributed to missile interceptors that had been launched in response.

The IDF said that the Arrow air defense system shot the missile down.

However, pieces of shrapnel fell near Gezer and possibly in three other areas, including Paatei Modiin train station near Modiin and Rehovot, signaling that Israel's systems failed to shoot down the missile outside of Israeli airspace.

Despite the incident, Israel's military maintained that its protective guidelines for residents remain unchanged.

This attack comes in the wake of a similar incident in July when Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched a long-range drone at Tel Aviv, resulting in one fatality and four injuries. The drone strike provoked a major Israeli airstrike on Houthi military installations near the Hodeidah port in Yemen, leading to at least three deaths and 87 wounded.

The recent missile launch underscores the growing tensions in the region. In the last few months, reports have surfaced indicating that Houthi fighters are being deployed to Syria, with about 50 Houthi fighters reportedly crossing from Iraq into Syria under the supervision of pro-Iranian militias.

The Houthis have increasingly aligned themselves with Iran-backed groups in the region, threatening retaliation against Israel following recent attacks on figures tied to Hezbollah and Hamas. Despite their threats, Houthi ground forces have yet to engage directly with Israeli forces.

Since October 2023, the Houthis have escalated attacks on Israel, launching cruise missiles and drones, primarily targeting southern Israel and the Eilat region.

These attacks, carried out in cooperation with Islamic resistance groups in Iraq, mark a significant expansion of Houthi military activities beyond Yemen.

Israel has responded forcefully to these assaults, particularly following a Houthi drone strike on Tel Aviv in July 2024 that killed one person.

In retaliation, Israel's air force carried out strikes on Houthi-controlled targets in Yemen, particularly around the strategic port of al-Hodeidah.

Tensions remain high as both sides continue to exchange hostilities, with Israeli forces on heightened alert for further Houthi attack