Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Yemen’s Houthis face a “heavy price” after the group fired a missile deep into Israel.
The projectile was fired from Yemen toward Israel at 6am local time this morning, according to the Israel Defense Forces who added that it “most likely fragmented in mid-air.” The missile fell in an open area in central Israel, with no injuries reported.
Videos and images shared by the Israel Fire and Rescue Authority on Telegram show large plumes of smoke billowing into the air over an open field, and shattered glass inside a train station in Modi’in, a city between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
A spokesman for the Iran-backed Houthis military spokesman confirmed the attack, claiming that the group used a “new hypersonic ballistic missile” and warning that Israel should expect more such strikes as the first anniversary of the October 7 attack by Hamas approaches.
Despite months of tensions it is a rare instance of a missile penetrating as far as central Israel, normally safe for civilians. “We are in a multi-arena campaign against Iran’s evil axis that strives to destroy us,” said Netanyahu, speaking ahead of a cabinet meeting. Israeli police said they were working with the police bomb squad in the Shfela area, also known as the Judaean Foothills, where an interceptor fragment had fallen. Authorities are now isolating the impact site and scanning for additional interceptor remains, police said.
Sirens rang across central and northern Israel, the military said, and sirens were also sounded at Tel Aviv airport, the airport’s spokesperson told CNN. Videos on social media showed passengers running to find shelter.
Credit: cnn.com
