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Ballistic missile fired at Israel intercepted over Red Sea

Videos circulating on social media from the interception showed smoke and white trails in the skies above Eilat.

By World Israel News Staff

Israel air defenses intercepted a ballistic missile over the Red Sea on Thursday morning, setting off sirens in the coastal city of Eilat.

The missile, which was reportedly launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen, was downed by Israel’s long range Arrow system.

Although the interception took place outside of Israeli airspace, sirens sounded in Eilat so that civilians could take cover from shrapnel, the Israeli military said in a statement.

The Arrow system “successfully intercepted a launch which was identified in the area of the Red Sea and was en route to Israel,” the IDF said. “The target did not cross into Israeli territory and did not pose a threat to civilians.”

Videos circulating on social media from the interception showed smoke and white trails in the skies above Eilat.

Thursday’s incident marks the sixth time since the outbreak of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war that Houthis have fired missiles at the Jewish state.

Notably, the launch came just hours after the U.S. army said it had conducted several preemptive strikes against the Houthis.

The American military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) said that the missiles destroyed in the strike were “prepared to launch towards the Red Sea.” CE

CENTCOM also said it had disabled a “one-way attack unmanned aircraft system,” also known as a suicide drone.

The Houthis, whose official slogan includes the phrase “death to Israel and a curse upon the Jews,” have stated that the attacks towards Israel and on cargo ships are acts of solidarity with the Palestinians.

The Shia group, which was funded and trained by Iran, has repeatedly attacked merchant vessels in the Red Sea, creating a major crisis for global shipping.

“Contrary to what the Houthis may attempt to claim, their attacks do nothing to help the Palestinians,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a recent statement.

“Their actions are not bringing a single morsel of assistance or food to the Palestinian people.”