On January 13, 2025, in the evening hours, Israel's air defense systems detected the launch of a ballistic missile from Yemeni territory. The missile was successfully intercepted before reaching Israeli airspace, preventing possible destruction and casualties.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the alarm sounded in the central and southern areas of the country, including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and the surrounding areas. Residents quickly took refuge in bomb shelters, following instructions from the Home Front Command. After the successful interception of the rocket was confirmed, the alarm was cancelled and citizens were able to return to their daily activities.
The Yemeni movement Ansar Allah, known as the Houthis, claimed responsibility for the missile launch. The group's spokesman, Yahya Saria, said the attack targeted a military facility in the Tel Aviv area. He said the missile used was a Palestine-2 hypersonic ballistic missile capable of traveling significant distances at high speed.
In response to the attack, the Israeli military held an operational meeting to assess the situation and develop further actions. An IDF spokesman noted that the country's missile defense systems, including the Hetz and Iron Dome systems, are operating in enhanced mode given the increased threat from the Houthis.