In its first, the Arrow defence system was used by Israel to intercept a surface-to-surface missile launched from the Red Sea. Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Tuesday said it has used the long-range system for the first time during the war with Hamas.
The missile was believed to be launched by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, aimed for the southernmost city of Eilat, reported The Times of Israel.
Taking to X, IDF said "an additional aerial threat was successfully intercepted by IAF fighter jets in the area this morning." No infiltrations into Israeli territory were identified, it added.
The @IAFsite intercepted a surface-to-surface missile in the area of the Red Sea. This is the first operational interception by the Arrow Aerial Defense System since the beginning of the war.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 31, 2023
An additional aerial threat was successfully intercepted by IAF fighter jets in the…
IDF also shot downed another two "hostile targets" believed to be drones flying in the Red Sea area.
Iran-backed Houthis said they had launched drones toward Israel triggering sirens in Eliat. "These drones belong to the state of Yemen," said Abdelaziz bin Habtour, prime minister of the Houthi government.
Referring to the Israel-Hamas war, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the attacks would continue until "Israeli aggression" stopped.
Who are Houthis?
Houthis had seized Yemen's capital Sanaa in 2014 and control large parts of the country. On October 19, Houthis had launched four land-attack cruise missiles and 14 drones towards Israel that the US Navy intercepted. The Houthis are so-called "Axis of Resistance" which encompasses Iran-backed Shi'ite Muslim factions in Iraq and Lebanon's Hezbollah.
Yemen is situation along the Red Sea between the Bab el Mandeb Straits and the Suez Canal.
Along with Hamas and Hezbollah, the latest Houthis's attack has put Israel in a spot. Houthi rebels have expressed support for the Palestinians and threatened Israel. Iran had warned Israel that they will not be silent if the Israel-Gaza war escalates. Ahmed Hamed, director of the presidential office in Sanaa, Yemen, announced that "the Palestinians will not be alone in the battle against Israel".
