Early Friday morning, a ballistic missile launched by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory, according to the Israeli military. The missile, reportedly aimed at the Ramat David Airbase near Nazareth, triggered air raid sirens in Haifa and other parts of northern Israel around 5:30 a.m.
Although the projectile did not reach Israel, falling debris from the interception pierced the roof of a kindergarten in Kibbutz Mishmar Ha’emek. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
This marks only the second instance in which a missile from Yemen activated sirens in northern Israel. An early warning push notification—issued about six minutes before the sirens—alerted residents, showcasing improvements in Israel’s recently updated alert system, which has faced previous issues with accuracy.
Since Israel resumed its offensive in Gaza on March 18, the Houthis have launched approximately 24 ballistic missiles and multiple drones at Israel. About half were intercepted before reaching the country; others fell short. These sirens have become a disruptive routine for civilians, forcing them into shelters at all hours and sometimes causing injury during the scramble for safety.
The Houthis, who began targeting Israel and Red Sea maritime traffic in November 2023, continue to act in alignment with their declared hostility toward Israel and the West. In response, the United States has escalated its airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen, aiming at their leadership and infrastructure.