Yemen missile hits central Israel, no casualties reported
Air raid sirens echoed across central Israel late Saturday, creating widespread alarm as residents in multiple cities, including Tel Aviv and West Jerusalem, rushed to shelters for safety. The alerts were triggered after smartphone notifications warned of a potential incoming threat, prompting swift emergency responses. Authorities confirmed that the sirens were precautionary measures activated following regional tensions and ongoing hostilities. While no immediate casualties or damage were reported, the incident heightened fears among the public, underscoring the fragile security situation in Israel.
Fortunately, no casualties or serious damage were reported, according to the Israeli military and emergency services.
Channel 12 News reported that while the airport was not directly hit, the incident caused panic among travelers and local residents who heard the sirens and saw emergency teams rushing to the scene.
As the missile threat became clear, air raid sirens blared across central Israel, including in Tel Aviv and West Jerusalem. Many people received smartphone alerts urging them to take cover, sparking tense moments as families scrambled into bomb shelters and safe rooms. For several minutes, the streets were eerily quiet except for the sounds of warning sirens and hurried footsteps. Although the missile did not cause physical damage, the psychological impact was unmistakable.
That attack, too, resulted in no injuries or damage, but it further underscored the escalating danger posed by long-range weapons launched from Yemen by the Houthi movement.
In response to the mounting threats, the Israeli Air Force earlier on Friday carried out airstrikes in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. The strikes reportedly targeted energy infrastructure used by the Houthi group, which controls much of northern Yemen.
The Houthis quickly claimed responsibility for the missile and drone attacks, stating they had deliberately targeted Ben Gurion Airport with a hypersonic ballistic missile and several drones. The group described the assault as direct retaliation for Israel’s war in Gaza, framing their actions as part of a wider regional resistance.
The weekend tensions did not end there. On Sunday, Israel’s military confirmed that it had intercepted yet another missile fired from Yemen toward central Israel. This second strike, launched in apparent retaliation for Israel’s airstrikes, again triggered air raid sirens in major cities including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Residents described scenes of both fear and resilience: people abandoning café tables, children clutching their parents’ hands, and strangers huddling together in shelters, waiting anxiously for the all-clear.
The timing of Sunday’s attack was particularly unsettling. It occurred as tens of thousands of Israelis were rallying in the streets, demanding the release of hostages held in Gaza and calling for an end to the ongoing war. Protesters, many already emotionally charged, were forced to scatter and seek safety as sirens wailed overhead. Yet, within hours, they regrouped, continuing their demonstrations as a show of defiance against both external threats and internal political tensions.
The Houthis, backed by Iran and entrenched in northern Yemen, have repeatedly targeted Israel and Israeli-linked shipping in the Red Sea since November. Their campaign of missile and drone strikes has expanded the conflict’s reach far beyond Gaza, adding another dangerous front to the already volatile region. Israel, in turn, has responded with retaliatory strikes on Houthi-controlled areas, including the capital Sanaa and the port city of Hodeidah, intensifying fears of a broader regional war.
For ordinary Israelis, however, the constant threat of missiles and sirens has become another layer of anxiety in an already difficult chapter. While no lives were lost in the latest incidents, the emotional toll of rushing to shelters, living under alerts, and wondering when the next strike may come is a heavy burden.
waiting for peace that never comes.