Air raid sirens blared across central Israel Monday afternoon, stretching from the Shfela region to the Sharon area, as the Israeli Air Force intercepted a missile launched from Yemen. The alarms were triggered due to concerns over falling interceptor debris.
Following the alerts, operations at Ben Gurion Airport were temporarily halted, including all takeoffs and landings, and resumed about an hour later. Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency medical service, reported no injuries or damage.
Yemen missile intercepted over central Israel
Debris from the missile, intercepted by Israel’s Arrow system, reportedly landed in Leshem, a settlement in the West Bank. The police also reported that missile fragments fell on a residential building in Beit Hanina, Jerusalem, damaging the roof and penetrating an apartment. No injuries were reported in both incidents.
The missile launch coincided with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's testimony at the Tel Aviv District Court, which continued uninterrupted as the courtroom is located in a protected space. Netanyahu's scheduled court appearance on Tuesday has been canceled, citing "security matters."
This incident marks the latest in a series of escalating threats from Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Israeli officials are reportedly considering a stronger response to the Houthis, who have continued their hostile activities despite a cease-fire agreement in Lebanon with Hezbollah.
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“The Houthis will pay a heavy price,” a senior Israeli official warned, suggesting the possibility of a more significant retaliatory strike than the last Israeli action against Yemen in September. The official acknowledged the challenges of striking Yemen, citing the logistical and operational complexities involved.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich suggested that Israel will soon target the Houthis in response to recent missile launches. “The Houthis are the only arm of the axis yet to feel the weight of our response. That will change soon,” Smotrich said.
Meanwhile, Hezam al-Asad, a member of the Houthi Supreme Political Council, posted on X threats in Hebrew, warning that "The Israeli enemy will pay the price for its continued brutal aggression and siege on our people in Gaza, as well as its attacks and invasions in Syria.”
He followed up with two additional tweets in Arabic, writing, "We renew our jihadist stance in support of our people in Gaza, relying on God and confident in our victory. Let the Zionist enemy and its supporters know that what is coming will be worse as long as the attacks and siege on our brothers continue."
In recent weeks, Houthi drones have also targeted southern Israel. Last Thursday, air raid sirens were triggered near Eilat and Ashdod due to suspected drone incursions. An interceptor was launched near Eilat, while in Ashdod, the military pursued what was initially thought to be a drone entering from Gaza’s perimeter. The IDF later said the alarms may have been caused by a false detection.
Earlier this month, a drone launched from Yemen caused extensive damage when it exploded on a penthouse balcony in a 16th-floor apartment building in Yavne. The unmanned aerial vehicle approached from the Mediterranean, entered Israeli airspace near Sderot, and traveled northward toward Ashdod.
Despite being detected and targeted with electronic warfare measures, the drone evaded interception and ultimately exploded, causing significant property damage but no injuries.