Netanyahu warns Yemen’s Houthis face a ‘heavy price’ as missile lands in central Israel

A missile was launched from Yemen into central Israel on Sunday morning, according to the Israeli military, in a rare instance of a missile penetrating so far into the country’s territory since its war in Gaza began.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Yemen’s Houthis face a “heavy price” after the group fired a missile deep into Israel. The projectile was fired from Yemen toward Israel at 6am local time this morning, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) who added that it “most likely fragmented in mid-air.” The missile fell in an open area in central Israel, with no injuries reported. Videos and images shared by the Israel Fire and Rescue Authority on Telegram show large plumes of smoke billowing into the air over an open field, and shattered glass inside a train station in Modi’in, a city between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. A spokesman for the Iran-backed Houthis military spokesman confirmed the attack, claiming that the group used a “new hypersonic ballistic missile” and warning that Israel should expect more such strikes as the first anniversary of the October 7 attack by Hamas approaches. The IDF told CNN that the projectile was not a hypersonic missile. Despite months of tensions it is a rare instance of a missile penetrating as far as central Israel, normally safe for civilians. “We are in a multi-arena campaign against Iran’s evil axis that strives to destroy us,” said Netanyahu, speaking ahead of a cabinet meeting.