Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Yemen’s Houthis that they will face a “heavy price” following a missile strike that landed in central Israel.
The missile, launched from Yemen at 6 a.m. local time on Sunday, was reported by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to have “most likely fragmented in mid-air” and fell in an open area, resulting in no injuries.
Images and videos from the Israel Fire and Rescue Authority depict thick smoke rising from an open field and shattered glass at a train station in Modi’in, a city between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
The Iran-backed Houthis confirmed the attack, claiming it involved a “new hypersonic ballistic missile” and threatening further strikes as the first anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack approaches. However, the IDF has stated that the missile was not hypersonic.
This incident is unusual as central Israel is typically shielded from such attacks, making it a significant event given the region’s usual safety for civilians.
Ahead of a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu declared, “We are engaged in a multi-front campaign against Iran’s evil axis that seeks to destroy us.”
Netanyahu warned that any attempt to harm Israel will be met with a heavy price, referencing the recent Israeli strike on Yemen’s Hodeidah port, which followed a deadly drone attack on Tel Aviv.
In response, Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’ political bureau head, praised the strike in a letter to Houthi leader Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi, claiming it demonstrated the failure of containment strategies and vowed to break Israel’s strength with combined efforts from the Houthis, Hezbollah, and other regional actors.
Israeli police are investigating an impact site in the Shfela area where an interceptor fragment fell, with authorities isolating the area and searching for additional debris. Sirens were activated across central and northern Israel, including at Tel Aviv airport, prompting passengers to seek shelter.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian denied supplying hypersonic missiles to the Houthis, stating they have developed the technology independently.
Additionally, the IDF reported about 40 projectiles from Lebanon hitting northern Israel, some intercepted and others falling in open areas, with no injuries reported. Hezbollah has increased its attacks on northern Israel, and Netanyahu called for a change in the balance of power at the northern border.
The IDF is also investigating reports of leaflets dropped in southern Lebanon warning civilians to evacuate due to Hezbollah’s activities. The leaflets were described as an independent initiative rather than an official IDF directive.
Tensions are rising as Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza has spilled over, with frequent attacks from the Iran-backed Houthis and Hezbollah. The war, sparked by Hamas’ October 7 attacks, has led to significant casualties on both sides and raised concerns about a broader regional conflict.
