The missile launch from Yemen which triggered sirens throughout central Israel for the first time in many months on Sunday raises several important questions – starting with whether it was a cruise missile or a ballistic missile fired toward the country.
A ballistic missile should have been detected and intercepted far from Israeli territory by the Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 air defense systems and detection should have been taken care of through ground-based radar systems.
Detecting a cruise missile is more challenging because it flies low and may deceive radar systems. However, the patrols conducted by the Israeli Air Force via aircraft equipped with advanced radars, especially the F-35 fighter jets, should have detected and downed the missile – similarly to what took place during the Iranian attack against Israel on April 14.
It can be assumed that if the munition was a cruise missile, the launch was made via an indirect route from Yemen – likely through an unexpected entry point or a long, bypassing path – perhaps through mountainous regions. This might have complicated the detection.
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Damage caused by interceptor ricochet in central Israeli train station
(Photo: Israel Police)
Another question is whether the missile, once detected, was intercepted by the David’s Sling or Iron Dome air defense systems – or if it wasn't intercepted, missed its target, likely Ben Gurion Airport.
In any case, it’s likely the launch is a Houthi retaliation attempt for the IDF’s strike on Hodeidah’s port two months ago, after which they announced they would retaliate. The terror group also recently warned of ground operations against Israel in addition to missile launches, boasting about their weaponry including Kornet missiles.