Israel Intercepts Incoming Ballistic Missile from Yemen
Israel’s military has intercepted a ballistic missile fired towards the country from Yemen. Air raid sirens blared in downtown areas, a common alert for potential incoming projectiles.
"An attempt to launch a rocket from Yemen was intercepted before it could enter Israeli territory," the Israeli military confirmed via Telegram, as reported by Reuters on Wednesday.
Air raid sirens howled across central Israel as a precaution against missiles and debris. The Israeli military affirmed it had shot down the projectile before it entered the country’s borders. No casualties have been reported, according to Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency medical service.
This isn’t the first time Israel has intercepted a projectile from Yemen. Earlier this week, the Israeli military also reported intercepting a launchfrom Yemen.
The Houthi rebels in Yemen, backed by Iran, have repeatedly launched rockets towards Israel in solidarity with Palestine since the Gaza conflict began over a year ago. Most have been intercepted, but a strike last Saturday injured 16 in Tel Aviv.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently warned the rebels, "I’ve ordered our forces to destroy Houthi infrastructure. Anyone who tries to harm us will face our full force. Even if it takes time."
In July, a Houthi drone strike in Tel Aviv killed an Israeli civilian, prompting an Israeli counterattack on the Yemeni port of Hodeidah. Houthi rebels also regularly target maritime traffic in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb strait, inviting retaliatory strikes from the U.S. and occasionally from the U.K.
Watch: Yemen Rocket Strikes Tel Aviv, Israel
[Video: 20detik]
