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 Arrow antimissile defense system has been largely developed by Technion graduates working for the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
