Yemen missile hits central Israel amidst Gaza conflict escalation
Yemen rebels strike Israel; air raid sirens at Ben Gurion Airport
A missile launched by Yemen’s Iran-backed rebels struck an open area in central Israel early Sunday, setting off air raid sirens at Ben Gurion International Airport. The incident, part of the ongoing Gaza conflict, resulted in no casualties or significant damage. Nevertheless, media footage showed people scrambling to shelters at the airport. The airport authority confirmed that normal operations resumed shortly after the incident. A fire was reported in a rural part of central Israel, and images surfaced of a fragment from an interceptor found on an escalator in Modiin’s train station. The Israeli army stated the missile was intercepted by their defense system, which fragmented the missile without destroying it entirely. The explosions heard were from the interceptors.
The Houthis, Yemen’s rebels, have frequently targeted Israel with drones and missiles since the Gaza conflict began, but most have been stopped over the Red Sea. In July, a Houthi-launched Iranian-made drone hit Tel Aviv, killing one and injuring ten. Israel retaliated with airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, including Hodeidah.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted at a military response during a Cabinet meeting, emphasizing the heavy price for any attacks on Israel. Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a Houthi spokesman, claimed responsibility for the missile, stating it targeted a military site near Tel Aviv. The Houthis have also attacked commercial vessels in the Red Sea, framing these actions as support for Palestinians, though most targeted ships have no ties to Israel.
🇮🇱🇾🇪🚨‼️ This morning, a ballistic missile was launched from Yemen towards Tel Aviv by the Houthis (Ansarallah), striking a target near Ben Gurion Airport.
—> The missile took about 13 minutes to reach its destination, causing over 2 million Israelis to seek refuge in shelters.… pic.twitter.com/vnHNdcTmoW
— TabZ (@TabZLIVE) September 15, 2024
The Gaza conflict, ignited by Hamas’ October 7th attack on southern Israel, has escalated regional tensions, with Iran and its allied groups, including Hezbollah, engaging in hostilities with Israel and the U.S., risking a broader conflict. Iran backs several militant groups, including Hamas, the Houthis, and Hezbollah, which have regularly exchanged fire with Israel since the Gaza war began, asserting solidarity with Palestinians.
On Sunday, the Israeli military reported a high likelihood that three hostages found dead were killed in an Israeli airstrike. The investigation concluded that Cpl. Nik Beizer, Sgt. Ron Sherman, and Elia Toledano likely died in a November strike targeting senior Hamas militant Ahmed Ghandour. These hostages were kidnapped during the October 7th attack, and their bodies were recovered in December. The army’s report, based on the recovery location, pathological reports, and other intelligence, couldn’t definitively determine the circumstances of their deaths. This might pressure the government to negotiate the release of remaining hostages, though rescue attempts are considered too risky. Recently, Israel retrieved the bodies of six hostages allegedly killed by Hamas captors just before Israeli forces arrived.
Additionally, an Israeli border police officer was stabbed near Jerusalem’s Damascus Gate on Sunday. The attacker was shot and killed while trying to escape. The officer, not seriously injured, received medical treatment, and police secured the area for investigation.
Early Sunday, around 40 projectiles were fired from Lebanon, with most intercepted or landing in open areas. Israeli forces later dropped leaflets over al-Wazzani, a Lebanese border town, advising residents to evacuate, though the military later clarified that this was unauthorised and under investigation. The strikes along the Israel-Lebanon border have displaced thousands on both sides. Netanyahu, addressing the Cabinet, stressed the need to restore safety for residents in the north.
Hezbollah has indicated it would cease attacks if a Gaza ceasefire is achieved. The U.S., Egypt, and Qatar have been mediating for a truce and hostages’ release, but talks have stalled. Netanyahu has insisted on Israeli control over Gaza’s border with Egypt, citing tunnel smuggling concerns, though Egypt and Hamas oppose this. An Israeli official reported that of the discovered tunnels, only nine entered Egypt, all sealed off, challenging Netanyahu’s argument for control. Egypt claims it sealed its side of the tunnels years ago, establishing a military buffer zone along the frontier.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Yahoo reports a missile fired by Yemen’s Iran-backed rebels landed in an open area in central Israel, triggering air raid sirens and intercept operations with no immediate injuries or damage reported. (Read more)
- AP News: Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels fired a missile at central Israel, prompting air raid alarms and successfully intercepted by Israeli defense forces, highlighting ongoing regional conflicts and retaliatory strikes.
None. (Read more)
- VOA News reports a Yemeni rebel missile lands in central Israel, triggering air raid sirens, with no casualties or damage, amid escalating regional conflict. (Read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened in Israel with the missile fired from Yemen?
A missile from Yemen’s Houthis landed in central Israel, triggering sirens but causing no major damage.
Did Israel respond to the missile attack from Yemen?
Israel hinted it would respond militarily, similar to past retaliatory strikes on Houthi-held areas.
Were there any casualties in the missile attack on Israel?
No, there were no reports of casualties or major damage from the missile attack.
How has the war in Gaza affected the region?
The war has led to attacks and retaliations involving Iran and allied groups, risking wider conflict.
What did the Israeli military say about the deaths of three hostages in Gaza?
The military said there’s a high probability they were killed in an Israeli airstrike.
