ALBAWABA- Air traffic at Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport was temporarily suspended after a hypersonic missile launched from Yemen triggered air raid sirens and emergency responses across central Israel, according to Israeli media reports.
The Israeli military confirmed the interception of the missile, which was reportedly on a trajectory toward a key target before it was successfully shot down in Israeli airspace.
Channel 12 reported the interception occurred over central Israel, while fragments of the interceptor missile reportedly fell over settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The incident caused widespread panic. Emergency medical services said several Israelis sustained minor injuries while running for cover, and field aid was provided to those affected by the stampede toward shelters.
The missile strike comes at a sensitive geopolitical moment, coinciding with U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the Gulf region.
Trump had just met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh as part of his regional diplomatic tour, which also includes stops in Qatar and the UAE.
In a speech during the visit, Trump revealed that the United States had conducted over 1,100 strikes on Houthi targets during a 52-day military campaign before an Oman-brokered ceasefire.
He acknowledged the Houthis as “determined fighters” who had demonstrated “strong endurance” in the face of military pressure.
