The Yemeni armed group has said it used its “new hypersonic ballistic missile” in the attack.
A missile launched from Yemen struck central Israel on Sunday morning, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The Houthis, an armed group that controls much of northern Yemen, claimed responsibility for the attack.
The missile entered Israeli airspace from the east and landed in an open area, the Israeli military said in a message on X (formerly Twitter). There were no casualties as a result of the incident, it added.
In a subsequent post, the Israeli military said the attack had originated in Yemen. It also clarified that the explosive sounds heard over central Israel had been produced by IDF interceptors, which fired at the incoming projectile.
Sirens were activated in the area from Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean coast to the town of Modiin, about 25 kilometers (18 miles) to the southeast, at around 6:30 a.m. local time, the Times of Israel reported.
According to the paper, a missile hit an open area and started a fire in the Ben Shemen forest, a few kilometres from Ben Gurion International Airport outside Tel Aviv. Shrapnel also damaged a train station outside Modiin and police are searching for missile debris in other areas, it added.
Nine people were lightly injured as they ran for shelter amid the attack, Israel's Magen David Adom ambulance service said.
A few hours later, the Houthis confirmed responsibility for the missile attack, with the group's spokesman saying in a statement that “The Yemeni Armed Forces carried out a targeted military operation” against “a military objective of the Israeli enemy” in the Jaffa port area of Tel Aviv.
The attack involved “a new hypersonic ballistic missile”, which achieved its goal, the spokesman said. “The enemy's defense systems were unable to intercept or counter the missile. It traveled a distance of 2,040 kilometers in eleven and a half minutes, causing a state of fear and panic.” In Israel, he added.
The Houthis have been attacking merchant ships allegedly linked to Israel in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden with drones and missiles since October last year, saying they are acting in support of the Palestinians amid Israel's attacks on Gaza.
The Yemeni group has also attacked Israeli territory with drones and missiles, but has only been able to penetrate air defenses on a few occasions.
Saree warned that “The Israeli enemy should expect more targeted attacks and operations” on the eve of the first anniversary of the October 7 attack on Israel by the Palestinian armed group Hamas, in which around 1,200 people were killed and some 250 were taken hostage.
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According to the Gaza Health Ministry, at least 41,206 people in the Palestinian enclave have been killed and another 95,337 wounded in the air campaign and the IDF group operation, launched in response to the Hamas attack.
