Israel successfully intercepted a missile launched from Yemen towards the southern city of Eilat on Sunday, July 21, 2024, using its advanced Arrow 3 air defense system. This interception came just a day after Israel’s first direct military action against Yemen, where it launched airstrikes on Houthi targets near the port city of Hodeidah.The Israeli military confirmed that the projectile did not cross into Israeli territory, and sirens were sounded in Eilat as a precautionary measure. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned that more operations against the Houthis would follow ‘if they dare to attack us again’.The airstrikes on Hodeidah, carried out by Israeli F-15 and F-35 fighter jets, targeted military objectives including oil storage facilities and electrical infrastructure. According to Yemeni health officials, the attack resulted in at least three deaths and 87 injuries.In response to the Israeli strikes, the Houthis claimed to have launched several ballistic missiles against Eilat. Mohammed Abdulsalam, a Houthi spokesperson, condemned the Israeli attack as ‘flagrant aggression’ and vowed to continue their campaign against Israel.This escalation has raised concerns about a potential widening of the conflict in the region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the Houthi rebels as ‘part of the axis of evil’ and warned that the situation could escalate into a global conflict.The international community, including the United Nations and the European Union, has called for restraint and urged both sides to avoid further escalation. The United States, while not participating in or coordinating the Israeli strikes, is closely monitoring the situation.
Key points
- Israel intercepted a missile from Yemen using its Arrow 3 defense system, preventing it from reaching Eilat.
- The interception followed Israeli airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen’s Hodeidah port, which killed at least three people and injured 87.
- Houthis claim to have launched multiple missiles in retaliation and threaten further attacks on Israeli targets.
- The escalation raises concerns about a potential widening of the conflict in the Middle East.
Contradictions👾While most sources report three deaths from the Israeli airstrikes, one source mentions that the death toll has not been confirmed.
