Houthis launch missile at Israel, sirens sound near Tel Aviv

On Sunday morning at 6:32 a.m. local time, a surface-to-surface missile was launched by the Iranian-backed Houthis from Yemen, reaching Israeli airspace and triggering sirens near Tel Aviv. The missile exploded in an open area, resulting in no damage, although five Israelis were reported wounded while seeking shelter. The missile's trajectory was unexpected, entering from the east, which initially led to confusion regarding its origin, with speculation about potential involvement from Hamas or Hezbollah. The missile was described as large and difficult to intercept due to its low altitude. Reports indicated that Israel's Arrow missile defense system may have initially missed the missile outside of its airspace, with the Arrow 2 system successfully intercepting it upon re-entry. The Iron Dome system was also deployed to address shrapnel and fragments from the missile. This incident follows a previous attack in July when a drone from Yemen reached Tel Aviv without interception, prompting Israeli military responses. The missile's capability to carry a significant payload raised concerns about the potential for greater damage had it struck a populated area. The event underscores the ongoing tensions in the region, particularly involving Iranian-backed groups and Israel. The incident highlights the complexities of missile defense systems and the challenges faced by Israel in protecting its airspace from threats originating from various fronts.