Israel’s Arrow defense system on Thursday morning intercepted a ballistic missile over the Red Sea apparently fired by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen and bound for Eilat.
The missile did not cross into Israeli territory and did not pose a threat to civilians, according to the Israel Defense Forces.
Nevertheless, sirens sound in Israel’s southernmost city, in accordance with protocol, sending tens of thousands of residents dashing for shelter.
אזעקות הופעלו באילת, בוצע יירוט והוזנקו מטוסי קרב למקום | תיעוד @Itsik_zuarets @ItayBlumental pic.twitter.com/9GoljhYRUk
— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) February 22, 2024
Sirens at 5:52am in Eilat. pic.twitter.com/jjLCucxrf5
— Seth Frantzman (@sfrantzman) February 22, 2024
Since Hamas’s Oct. 7 massacre, Houthis have launched several missile and drone attacks against Israel, that were thwarted by Israeli, U.S. or Saudi forces or missed their targets.
Israel has bolstered its naval presence in the Red Sea area in response to the attacks.
On Nov. 9, the Houthis fired a ballistic missile at Eilat, which was intercepted by Israel’s Arrow 3 in the aerial-defense system’s first operational use.
On Oct. 31, the Arrow 2 air defense system for the first time intercepted a surface-to-surface missile fired from the Red Sea area.
The Houthi’s slogan is, “Death to America, Death to Israel, Curse the Jews, Victory to Islam.”
In December, the United States launched a multinational force to counter the maritime threat posed by the Iranian proxy group, who have repeatedly targeted naval vessels passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
