On Sunday morning, a missile was launched from Yemen into central Israel, marking a rare instance of a missile penetrating deep into Israeli territory since the conflict with Gaza began. The projectile landed in an open area in central Israel, causing no injuries, as reported by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The explosion sounds heard in the area were a result of Israeli military interceptions, with the IDF still assessing the outcome of the interception.
Videos and images shared by the Israel Fire and Rescue Authority depicted large plumes of smoke rising from an open field and shattered glass at a train station in Modi’in, situated between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Israeli police, in collaboration with the bomb squad, are investigating an interceptor fragment that fell in the Shfela area, also known as the Judaean Foothills. Authorities are securing the impact site and searching for additional interceptor remnants.
Sirens blared across central and northern Israel, prompting evacuations, including at Tel Aviv airport where passengers sought shelter. Additionally, around 40 projectiles crossed from Lebanon into Israel's northern region on the same morning, with some intercepted and others landing in open areas. No injuries were reported, and efforts are underway to extinguish fires caused by the projectiles.
The IDF also confirmed the crossing of an explosive drone from Lebanon into the northern town of Metula, although no damage was inflicted. Tensions between Israel, Yemen, and Lebanon have been escalating, with ongoing conflicts and retaliatory actions threatening to escalate into a wider Middle East conflict.
Since the commencement of the war on Hamas in Gaza, the Iran-backed Houthi group from Yemen has targeted Israel with drones and missiles, often intercepted by Israel's defenses. In a significant incident in July, the group claimed responsibility for a deadly drone attack in Tel Aviv, prompting Israeli airstrikes on a Yemeni port the following day.
Meanwhile, the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon has also launched attacks on northern Israel, targeting military sites with rockets and drones. These direct assaults on each other's territories have raised concerns about the potential expansion of the conflict across the region.
Israel initiated its military operations in Gaza following cross-border attacks by Hamas, resulting in casualties on both sides. The conflict has claimed numerous lives, with the health ministry in Gaza reporting a significant number of Palestinian casualties, including women and children.
