The aftermath of this morning's Houthi attack: Shrapnel found in schoolyard, Woman injured in chaos

On Sunday morning, a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi rebels from Yemen triggered sirens across central Israel and the Jerusalem area. The missile set off alarms in cities like Tel Aviv, Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak, and other regions, including Modiin Illit, Beitar Illit, and Ramat Gan. Residents rushed to shelters as a safety measure, and despite the anxiety, the missile was intercepted by Israel’s defense systems before entering Israeli airspace, as confirmed by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

While no direct injuries resulted from the missile itself, two women were injured while trying to reach safe areas. One woman, in her 40s, sustained moderate injuries when she fell into a ditch along Route 1, between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Another woman, in her 30s, sustained light injuries after a door of a shelter hit her. Both were treated by emergency services and taken to nearby hospitals for further care.

Additionally, fragments of the missile were found in various locations, including a soccer field in Tzur Hadassah, a school yard, the roof of a private house in Shatul, and a car near Moshav Eshtaol. No casualties were reported from the falling debris, although some property damage was noted. The fragments were identified as coming from the intercepted missile, with experts highlighting that its engine ran on liquid fuel, which enables higher speeds and reduced fuel requirements.

The missile attack was the latest in a series of attempts by the Houthis to strike Israel. It marked the eighth such launch since the start of March, after tensions flared following the collapse of a ceasefire agreement. Israel’s response has been to call for direct actions against Iran, which is believed to back the Houthis. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and opposition leader Benny Gantz both echoed calls for action against Iran, stating that Israel must hold the country accountable for arming and directing the Houthis.

This attack comes amid growing regional instability, with the U.S. also carrying out airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen. The Houthis have repeatedly expressed support for Palestinian militant groups, intensifying their involvement in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Despite the recent missile launch, Israel's Iron Dome successfully neutralized the threat, but tensions in the region remain high, with continued missile and drone strikes directed at the Jewish state.