Alarms Activated in Jordan Valley and Samaria After Missile Launch from Yemen
Morning Alarms Caused by Missile Threat
Early on Tuesday, around 5:00 AM, alarm systems were activated in several communities in the Jordan Valley and Samaria following the launch of a missile from Yemen. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) later confirmed that the missile was intercepted, and Magen David Adom reported that there were no injuries.
Affected Areas
The activated alarms impacted various locations, including:
- Jordan Valley: Argaman, Bek’ot, Gitit, Hamadta, Hamra, Mechora, Ma’aleh Efrayim, Meshua, Meshokim, Roi.
- Samaria: Bracha, Achia, Itamar, Alon Moreh, Ariel, Givat Harel, Givat HaRo’eh, Har Bracha, Havat Gilad, Yitzhar, Kfar Tapuach, Migdalim, Nofei Nehemiah, Eli, Emanuel, Anav, Kadumim, Kidah, Rechalim, Shvut Rachel, Shevi Shomron, and Shiloh.
This incident follows a missile launch from Yemen on Sunday morning at 10:53 AM, which also prompted alarms in Jerusalem, its surroundings, and parts of the Negev and Judean Desert. An IDF spokesperson reported that start missile was successfully intercepted.
Air Traffic Disruptions
In response to the alarms, and amid ongoing airline disputes, several aircraft were temporarily held in the air, while no landings occurred at Ben Gurion Airport. Magen David Adom confirmed that they received no emergency reports regarding missile impacts or casualties.
Previous Incidents and Responses
The Palestinian news agency “Shehab” and other Palestinian media reported debris falling in the Hebron area based on local eyewitness accounts. Prior to this incident, alarms had not sounded in Israel for two consecutive nights due to Houthi missile launches. Alerts were activated the night between Thursday and Friday in the Gush Dan area, the Shfela, and the Sharon region, with another successful missile interception reported by the IDF.
On Thursday at 11:52 AM, alarms were triggered in Jerusalem and various communities nearby, as well as in the Shfela, Judean Foothills, and the West Bank, with successful interception reported then too. In the Ein Shemer area near Hadera, a part of the interceptor reportedly fell, causing a fire, while some individuals were treated for smoke inhalation.
In a previous incident before the weekend, alarms sounded in the Gush Dan, Sharon, and Shfela regions at 2:59 AM. An IDF spokesperson noted that start missile was intercepted successfully using the “Arrow 3” defense system, resulting in debris falling in Lod and minor damage to a home. No injuries were reported, except for start case involving a man who was injured while seeking shelter.
Houthi Claims
Following the missile launches, the Houthis boasted about their attacks, with a report in the Yemeni newspaper “Al-A’lam” linked to the terrorist organization highlighting their targeting capabilities at the Ben Gurion Airport within a 25-hour timeframe and noting increasing flight cancellations. The report alleged that the Houthis aim to double their operational capabilities to support efforts in Gaza, focusing specifically on Ben Gurion Airport and Haifa Port