The IDF reported early Wednesday that it had detected a missile launch originating from Yemen, with the projectile aimed at Israeli territory.
“Aerial defense systems are operating to intercept the threat. The public is instructed to follow the guidelines issued by the Home Front Command,” stated the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.
Shortly afterward, air raid sirens were heard across several cities in northern Israel, including Haifa, Nahariya, and Acre. Locals said they heard loud booms during the incident.
In a follow-up statement, the IDF confirmed that “Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in Haifa, Krayot, and the Western Galilee, a missile was launched from Yemen. An interceptor was launched toward the missile and the results of the interception are under review. Sirens were sounded in accordance with protocol.”
The IDF later clarified that one missile had been fired from Yemen, an Israeli interceptor was launched in response, and initial assessments indicated that the missile was probably taken down. The sounding of the sirens followed standard procedures.
Zaki Heller, spokesperson for Magen David Adom (MDA), provided an update: “Following the sirens heard in recent minutes in northern Israel, at this stage, no calls have been received at Magen David Adom’s 101 emergency hotline regarding rocket impacts or casualties.”
He did note, however, that emergency responders had been dispatched to assist individuals who sustained injuries while running to shelters.
A similar scenario unfolded this past Friday morning when missile alerts went off in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and the surrounding regions of Shfela and Sharon. The military confirmed at the time that the missile from Yemen was intercepted and that sirens were activated in line with protocol.
Before the sirens were triggered, the IDF had issued an initial warning, aligned with a recently announced enhancement to the missile alert system for threats from Yemen.
However, the Home Front Command’s mobile alert app failed to notify all users in the affected areas, prompting the IDF to open an inquiry into the technical issue.
{Matzav.com Israel}