Fourth Houthi Missile Attack in 24 Hours Intercepted Over Israel; Sirens Sound in Jerusalem
In the fourth attack within just over a day, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched a ballistic missile at Israel early Saturday morning, setting off sirens in Jerusalem and parts of southern Israel. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the missile was successfully intercepted by the country’s air defense systems, and no injuries or damage were reported.
The sirens were triggered at 6:25 a.m. across Jerusalem, surrounding areas, several southern West Bank settlements, and communities near the Dead Sea. Residents had received early push notifications just five minutes before, thanks to Israel’s newly activated alert system, though the system has recently faced challenges, including delayed or overly broad warnings.
This latest missile follows a series of Houthi attacks: on Friday, two ballistic missiles aimed at northern Israel — one targeting the Ramat David Airbase and the other the coastal city of Haifa — were also intercepted, with sirens sounding in the early morning and again in the afternoon. Additionally, on Friday evening, the Israeli Air Force shot down a drone launched toward Israel from Yemen.
Since Israel resumed its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza on March 18, the Houthis have launched roughly 26 ballistic missiles and several drones at Israel. While about half were intercepted or fell short, the sirens continue to disrupt daily life, frequently sending hundreds of thousands of civilians racing to shelters, sometimes resulting in injuries due to the scramble.
The Houthis, who have targeted Israel and maritime routes since November 2023, remain a major regional threat, rallying under their slogan: “Death to America, Death to Israel, a Curse on the Jews.” In response, the United States has been conducting widespread airstrikes in Yemen aimed at Houthi leadership and infrastructure. According to Yemen’s Houthi-controlled Saba news agency, U.S. strikes overnight hit the capital Sanaa and nearby districts, though further details remain limited.
As the conflict escalates, Israel’s defenses face continued strain, while U.S. military actions in Yemen signal an intensifying regional standoff.