Israeli Army Claims to Have Intercepted and Destroyed a Missile Launched from Yemen

The Israeli army announced that it intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched from Yemen that entered Israeli airspace early Friday morning. According to Israeli media, parts of this missile, as well as the interceptor missile from Israel's "Pikkan" defense system, landed in open areas in the city of "Modi'in," located between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, but there were no casualties or property damage. However, Israel's medical emergency organization reported that 20 individuals were transferred to the hospital after being injured while rushing to safety upon hearing the warning siren. The warning siren, indicating an imminent missile attack, sounded at 4:35 AM on Friday, January 14, in central Israel and Jerusalem, waking people from their sleep and prompting them to seek shelter. Hours later, the army reported the downing of a suicide drone launched from Yemen, stating that it destroyed the drone before it entered Israeli airspace. Despite the interception of the ballistic missile and its destruction, this marks the third time in the past month that a missile launched by the Houthis from Yemen has entered Israeli airspace. Several missiles sent by this Iran-aligned group to Israel in the past two weeks, similar to the majority of the 200 missiles fired at Israel a year ago, were intercepted before entering Israeli territory and in the upper atmosphere. The Houthis have referred to their recent launches as "Palestine 2" missiles. Israeli media attribute the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps as a factor in providing military assistance to the Houthis to enhance the effectiveness of their missiles. The Prime Minister and Defense Minister of Israel stated this week that the Houthis will pay the price for their attacks. Israel Katz, the Israeli Defense Minister, remarked, "Just as we eliminated Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut, and Yahya Sinwar in Gaza, the leaders of the Houthis will ultimately face destruction as well." Kan TV reported on Friday following the latest missile attack from Yemen that after four Israeli air force operations against Houthi targets in recent months, the Israeli army is currently designing various plans for its upcoming operations, which will be executed in different phases and will involve not only the air force but also the navy. CENTCOM, the U.S. Central Command, and the British Air Force have recently attacked Houthi targets in Yemen. Over the past year, the Houthis have engaged in attacks on ships from various countries in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to show "solidarity" with the Palestinians in Gaza, but after last month's ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, they have significantly increased their attacks on Israel.