Arrow Defense System Thwarts Houthi Missile Targeting Eilat

By Yoni Weiss

In the early hours of Thursday morning, Israel’s Arrow air defense system intercepted a ballistic missile over the Red Sea, suspected to be launched by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The missile, directed at the southern city of Eilat, was successfully taken down over the Red Sea. Video footage from Eilat captured the aftermath, revealing smoke trails in the sky.

The IDF reported that the missile did not breach Israeli airspace, and sirens were activated in Eilat as a precautionary measure against potential falling debris. This marks the sixth instance of Israel’s Arrow system neutralizing a ballistic missile threat amid the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.

While the Houthis have not claimed responsibility for the attack, their previous actions indicate a form of “solidarity” with Gaza, where Israel is engaged in a war against Hamas.

Controlling significant parts of Yemen, the Houthis have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea, posing a threat to both commercial and military vessels.

In a separate incident overnight, the U.S. military’s Central Command announced the destruction of seven anti-ship missiles, a missile launcher, and a drone originating from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, considering them an imminent threat to maritime traffic in the region.