Written by Lisa Murimi
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that Yemen’s Houthi rebels will “pay a heavy price” after a missile fired by the group landed in central Israel early Sunday.Â
The missile struck an uninhabited area, but Israel’s military confirmed that shrapnel indicated the missile had bypassed air defense systems.
The missile, believed to be a new hypersonic type, marked the first time a Houthi projectile has reached central Israel, over 2,000 kilometers away.
Despite multiple attempts to intercept the missile, it fragmented in mid-air, landing at a railway station in Modiin and near Ben Gurion International Airport, causing minor damage.
The Houthis, who claim allegiance to the Iran-led “axis of resistance” against Israel and its allies, said the attack was in solidarity with Palestinians.
They warned of more strikes ahead of the one-year anniversary of the October 7 attacks.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is investigating how the missile evaded defenses and reached Israeli territory.
The incident highlights rising tensions in the region, with concerns that the Houthis’ new missile capabilities could pose a growing threat to Israel.
