The Israeli military announced on Friday morning that it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen, as its ongoing strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon intensified fears of a broader Middle East conflict.
Sirens blared across central Israel, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirming the missile’s origin. “The missile that was fired from Yemen was successfully intercepted by the ‘Arrow’ Aerial Defense System,” the IDF said via Telegram.”Sirens and explosions were heard following the interception and falling shrapnel.”
The IDF added that the missile was downed “outside the country’s borders.”
There were no direct impacts from the debris, but the Magen David Adom ambulance service reported that a 17-year-old girl was moderately injured when a car struck her as it pulled to the side of the road during the alert. She was conscious and taken to a hospital, while another 17 people were lightly injured from falls or due to anxiety while rushing to shelters, according to The Times of Israel.
Big Win For Iran: U.S. Forced To Fulfil Tehran’s Wish; Pezeshkian Returns Home With… | Find Out
Earlier Thursday, Abdul Malik al-Huthi, the leader of Yemen’s Huthi rebels, declared in a televised address that his Iran-backed group “will not hesitate to support Lebanon and Hezbollah” as clashes between the Lebanese militant group and Israel escalated.
The Huthis have also targeted Red Sea shipping with over 220 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones since November, framing these actions as solidarity with Palestinians amid the Gaza war, which erupted following Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel.
Amid these developments, Israel rejected a US-led push for a 21-day ceasefire in Lebanon. Israeli officials vowed to continue military operations, stating that they would fight Hezbollah “until victory.”