Early on Sunday, a missile launched from Yemen struck an open area in central Israel, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict that has persisted for nearly a year between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli military confirmed the attack, which triggered air raid sirens across the region, including at Israel’s international airport.
Early Morning Attack
The missile strike occurred in the early hours of the morning, prompting a swift response from local authorities and triggering air raid alerts. Footage from local media captured scenes of passengers at the international airport hastily seeking shelter, but the airport authority later reported that operations resumed without disruption.
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Incident Details
A fire was visible in a rural area of central Israel following the missile impact. In the town of Modiin, central Israel, images surfaced showing what appeared to be debris from either the missile or an interceptor, which had landed on an escalator at a train station. The Israeli military clarified that the explosions heard in the vicinity were the sounds of interceptors deployed to neutralize the missile threat.
Houthi Rebels’ Involvement
The missile attack is attributed to Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who have previously targeted Israel with drones and missiles. Most of these attacks have been intercepted over the Red Sea. While the Houthis did not officially claim responsibility for the latest attack, rebel officials seemed to take credit for it in subsequent statements.
Ongoing Conflict
This latest incident underscores the continuing regional tensions exacerbated by the nearly year-long war between Israel and Hamas. The conflict has seen various factions involved, with the Houthis adding a new dimension to the already complex situation.
Response and Security
Despite the alarming nature of the attack, there were no reports of casualties or significant damage. Israeli authorities have maintained their preparedness and response mechanisms to address such threats promptly, ensuring minimal disruption to daily operations.
As the situation develops, ongoing monitoring and updates from both Israeli and regional sources will provide further insights into the implications of this latest escalation.
(Includes inputs from online sources)
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