ALBAWABA- Air raid sirens wailed across central Israel on Thursday evening, including in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and surrounding areas, after a ballistic missile was launched from Yemen, according to Israeli and international media.
The launch prompted millions of Israelis to rush into bomb shelters, sparking scenes of panic and minor injuries reported during the stampede.
Israel’s Home Front Command confirmed the activation of sirens in multiple urban centers, including the Greater Tel Aviv area and Jerusalem, following alerts of an incoming projectile from the Houthi-controlled regions of Yemen.
According to Israeli media, the Arrow missile defense system successfully intercepted the incoming missile before it reached its target.
Nonetheless, the incident caused widespread alarm, including the temporary closure of Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s main international hub.
Israel’s national ambulance service reported several cases of panic and minor injuries, mostly caused by people scrambling to reach shelters.
Reacting to the escalation, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee stated: "We just left the shelter after sirens went off due to a Houthi ballistic missile launch. Every missile is made by Iran, which hates Israel—and let's not forget, they hate the United States too."
Former Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman sharply criticized the current Israeli government, saying: "This government has destroyed Israeli deterrence and is incapable of restoring security to its citizens."
This is the fourth hypersonic missile launched from Yemen in just three days, signaling a sharp escalation in the regional dimensions of the Gaza war. The Houthi-led strikes on Israel, framed as acts of solidarity with the Palestinian cause, underscore the widening scope of the conflict beyond Gaza’s borders.
Israeli officials have repeatedly blamed Iran for providing the technology and support behind these long-range attacks, further inflaming tensions between Tel Aviv and Tehran.
