An Iran-backed militant group launched a “surface-to-surface missile” attack against Israel on Sunday – sparking fears of a fresh clash in the war-torn region.
The long-range missile was fired from Yemen by Houthi rebels on the morning of September 15, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.
Sirens blared across central Israel, with footage showing people running for shelters at Ben Gurion International Airport.
A fire could be seen in a rural area of central Israel, not far from Tel Aviv, and local media showed images of what appeared to be a fragment from a missile or interceptor that landed on an escalator in a railway station in the central town of Modiin.
The IDF said in a statement: “At 06.21 this morning (Sunday), a surface-to-surface missile was fired from Yemen toward Israeli territory. An initial inquiry indicates the missile most likely fragmented in mid-air.
“During the incident, several interception attempts were made by the Arrow and Iron Dome Aerial Defense Systems, and their results are under review. Sirens were sounded in accordance with protocol. The entire incident is under review.
“Fallen fragments of the interceptors were identified in open areas and at the Paatei Modi’in Railway Station. A fire erupted in an area adjacent to Kfar Daniel. Israel Fire and Rescue Services are currently operating at the scene to extinguish the fire.”
Kfar Daniel is a 40-minute drive from Tel Aviv, one of Israel‘s most important cities.
The Houthis have repeatedly launched drone and rocket attacks against Israel over the past year – claiming to be doing so in support of Hamas, which Israel has been fighting in the Gaza strip since the militant group left more than 1,200 dead in a harrowing attack on the southern region of the country on October 7.
Most of these have been intercepted and destroyed over the Red Sea, where the Houthis are also attacking shipping, but this latest strike has sparked fears of a Israeli response and an escalation.
In July, a Houthi drone struck Tel Aviv, killing one person.
In response to that incident, Israel launched an airstrike on the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah – causing severe damage and killing three.
A Houthi spokesperson claimed this morning’s attack had seen the militants’ missile travel 2,040 km (1,267 miles) in 11 and a half minutes.
The militants also claimed the “new hypersonic ballistic missile” had caused “great panic” in Israel and that “the US-British alliance” – which has launched a number of strikes against Houthi positions in recent months – would not prevent them from “supporting Gaza”.
The spokesperson also warned Israel to be ready for further attacks in the run-up to the first anniversary of the ongoing Gaza war on October 7.
As well as the Houthis and Hamas, Iran – which launched its first-ever direct attack on Israel earlier this year in response to the killing of Iranians in Syria – also supports Hezbollah, the powerful Lebanese militia that regularly targets Israel from the north.
The Israeli military said around 40 projectiles were fired from Lebanon early on Sunday, with most intercepted or falling in open areas.