Houthi terrorists launched a third missile attack on Israel, resulting in air raid sirens across central Israel and the West Bank. The IDF intercepted the missile without reported injuries. The attacks have led to flight delays and provoked strong reactions from Israeli officials, prompting concerns over escalating hostilities.
On Friday evening, air raid sirens activated across central Israel and the West Bank due to a missile attack from Houthi forces in Yemen, marking their third assault in consecutive days. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) successfully intercepted the missile outside Israeli airspace, prompting alerts about potential debris, yet no injuries or damage were reported. The Magen David Adom emergency service indicated that they had received no incident reports, although flight delays were noted at Ben Gurion Airport for aircraft arriving from Athens and Frankfurt.
This incident followed another attack the previous day when the Houthis launched a ‘Palestine 2’ hypersonic ballistic missile aimed at Ben Gurion Airport. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree claimed, “the target was achieved” and attributed the strike as a retaliation for alleged Israeli actions in Gaza. Several flights, including those from Abu Dhabi and London, experienced temporary diversions before being cleared to land safely at the airport.
The missile attack coincided with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s speech in the Knesset regarding a budget vote, with alerts displaying on television. Despite the warnings, Smotrich, who was unaware of the emergency, inquired, “How is it that we can’t hear anything?” before resuming his address, as Knesset protocols dictate evacuation only when alerts specifically concern the parliamentary building.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was situated outside the Knesset chamber, took refuge in a secure location. Following this, he addressed Channel 14, stating, “The Houthis are already paying — and they will pay more.” This incident marked the second missile attack in as many days, with another missile aimed at Be’er Sheva intercepted over Saudi Arabia earlier in the week. The Houthis asserted that the missile attacks were a direct response to Israeli military actions in Gaza and threatened to broaden their target list if hostilities persisted.
In summary, Yemen’s Houthi forces have conducted multiple missile launches targeting Israel over three consecutive days. Each interception by the IDF has prevented injuries and damage, although the incidents have caused flight delays and safety alerts. The Houthis justify these attacks as retaliatory measures against Israel’s operations in Gaza, indicating a potentially ongoing escalation in hostilities.
Original Source: www.ynetnews.com
