Missile from Yemen Sparks Tension in Central Israel

A long-range missile fired from Yemen landed in central Israel, triggering air raid sirens but causing no immediate casualties or damage. Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed responsibility. Israel has faced repeated attacks from the Houthis amid ongoing instability in Gaza, prompting reciprocal military actions.

A long-range missile fired from Yemen early Sunday landed in an open area in central Israel, according to the Israeli military.

The attack triggered air raid sirens, including at Israel's international airport, but no casualties or damage were immediately reported. The military indicated that interceptor explosions caused the sounds heard in the area.

Israeli media broadcast footage showing passengers scrambling to safe rooms at Ben Gurion International Airport and taking cover on a train. They also displayed images of a fragment that landed on an escalator in a Modiin train station. Yemen's Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have aimed numerous drones and missiles at Israel since the Gaza war started, nearly all intercepted over the Red Sea.

In July, a Houthi-fired Iranian-made drone struck Tel Aviv, killing one and injuring ten. Israel retaliated with air strikes on Houthi-controlled regions in Yemen.

The Houthis have also attacked commercial vessels in the Red Sea, framing these actions as a Palestinian support blockade on Israel. Most targeted ships are unconnected to Israel.

The almost yearlong Gaza conflict, ignited by Hamas' Oct. 7 incursion into southern Israel, has spread regionally, involving Iran and allied militants against Israeli and U.S. targets, which provoked Israeli and Western retaliatory measures.

(With inputs from agencies.)