A missile launched by Yemen’s Iran-backed rebels hit open territory in central Israel early Sunday, causing air raid sirens to sound at the international airport. The incident follows the ongoing conflict in Gaza and prompted Israel to suggest a potential military response. Fortunately, no casualties or significant damage were reported, and flight operations at Ben Gurion International Airport resumed shortly after the event.
Footage broadcasted on Israeli media showed individuals rushing to seek shelter at the airport, with a visible fire in a rural area of central Israel. Additionally, fragments from what seemed to be an interceptor were seen at a train station in Modiin. Israeli defense forces made multiple attempts to intercept the missile using their air defenses, suggesting that it may have broken apart midair, with investigations into the incident ongoing.
The Yemeni rebels, known as Houthis, have previously targeted Israel with drones and missiles amid the conflict in Gaza. In response to the recent attack, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu implied a potential retaliatory response, emphasizing that attempts to harm Israel would result in severe consequences. The rebels claimed to have aimed the ballistic missile at a military target in the Tel Aviv area.
In a separate incident, around 40 projectiles were fired from Lebanon early Sunday, with most being intercepted or landing in uninhabited regions. Israel issued misleading evacuation leaflets over a Lebanese border town, emphasizing the tense situation along the Israel-Lebanon border. The ongoing conflict has displaced tens of thousands of people on both sides, with Israel expressing concerns about Hezbollah’s operations in the region.
Hezbollah has indicated a willingness to cease attacks if a cease-fire is established in Gaza. Efforts by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar to negotiate peace and hostage releases with Hamas have faced obstacles. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s insistence on Israeli control over the Gaza side of the Egyptian border and allegations of cross-border smuggling have added complexity to the situation.
Recent discoveries of tunnels along the Israeli-Egyptian border, with most found to be sealed off, have raised questions about the necessity for continued Israeli control in the region. Egypt maintains that it sealed off tunnels on its side of the border years ago as part of its security measures. The interactions and conflicts within the region continue to draw international attention and efforts to establish stability and peace among the involved parties.
