The Arrow air defense system intercepted a surface-to-surface missile launched from the “Red Sea area” at Israel, the military said Tuesday, in the first operational use of the long-range system during the war with Hamas.
The ballistic missile was believed to have been launched by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, aimed for the southernmost city of Eilat.
In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces said that air force systems tracked the missile’s trajectory and intercepted it “at the most appropriate operational time and location.” Photos showed a trail of smoke from the Arrow missile, as residents reported hearing a large blast.
The IDF also said fighter jets downed another two “hostile targets” — believed to be drones — that were flying in the Red Sea area during the morning.
“All the threats were intercepted outside the territory of the State of Israel. No intrusion into Israeli territory was detected,” the IDF added.
The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for the missile as well as a number of similar attempted attacks on southern Israel in recent attacks.
Yahya Sria, a spokesman for the group, said that the aerial assault, comprising drones as well as ballistic and cruise missiles, was carried out “out of a sense of religious, moral, humanitarian and national responsibility” for the people of Gaza, in the face of the weakness of the Arab world, and of the collusion of some Arab countries with Israel.”
The Arrow antimissile defense system has been largely developed by Technion graduates working for the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
