JERUSALEM: Israel’s military said Tuesday that it had “successfully intercepted” a missile fired from Yemen that sent sirens blaring across the center of the country in the early morning hours.
“An examination by the IAF (Israel air force) and the Home Front Command found that the missile fired from Yemen toward Israeli territory was successfully intercepted,” the army said in a statement.
The military had previously said it made “several attempts” to shoot down the missile, adding it had “likely” succeeded.
It later reported that shrapnel from the missile “fell inside a civilian house” in the community of Mevo Beitar, near Jerusalem, and that additional shrapnel was found in the nearby town of Tzur Hadassah.
Tuesday’s attack came less than a day after Yemen’s Houthis said they had launched a missile toward the commercial hub of Tel Aviv, which Israeli forces said was intercepted “prior to crossing into Israeli territory.”
The Houthis also claimed the Tuesday morning attack, saying they had launched a “hypersonic ballistic missile” at “occupied Jaffa,” a reference to Tel Aviv.
Later on Tuesday the militia claimed to have launched two attacks on Israel. The Israeli military did not issue any alerts or report intercepting any projectiles.
There were no sirens in either city and the Israeli military did not mention any incidents.
The Iran-backed Houthis have pledged to continue their attacks until “the end of the aggression against the Palestinians.”
Since the war in Gaza broke out in October 2023, the Houthis have repeatedly fired missiles and drones at Israel in what they say is a show of solidarity with the Palestinians.
The militia controls swathes of Yemen, and Israel has struck Houthi targets several times inside the country including in the capital Sanaa.
Israel army says intercepted missile fired from Yemen
https://arab.news/zvcby
Israel army says intercepted missile fired from Yemen
- The military had previously said it made “several attempts” to shoot down the missile, adding it had “likely” succeeded
- It later reported that shrapnel from the missile “fell inside a civilian house” in the community of Mevo Beitar, near Jerusalem
GCC states ‘face reliance on Saudi Arabia for food imports’
- With 70 percent of food coming through Strait of Hormuz, analysts warn of inevitable shortages
DUBAI: Some Gulf states may have to rely on overland food deliveries from Saudi Arabia if the US-Israel-Iran war continues to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and restrict regional airspace, analysts warned on Thursday.
The region is up to 90 percent dependent on food imports, and price surges and scarcity of some goods are expected.
“With over 70 percent of GCC foodstuffs being imported through the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf states face shortages if the war persists,” said Neil Quilliam of the Chatham House think tank.
“While GCC countries have taken steps to diversify suppliers and ensure sufficient stores to withstand disruption, this can only last several months. At this point, price increases and longer lead times will start to hit the markets.”
Commodities analyst Ishan Bhanu said: “The biggest immediate effect will be due to the blockade of Jebel Ali in Dubai, serving about 50 million people. Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Iraq effectively become landlocked and will depend on overland routes through Saudi Arabia.”
Bottlenecks are yet to show and the UAE has said its strategic reserves of vital goods cover four to six months of needs. It urged residents to report unjustified price increases through a dedicated hotline.
Supermarket staff throughout the Gulf said shelves remain largely stocked, though suppliers are taking longer to replenish certain products. Iran’s strikes on the Gulf since Saturday prompted panic buying in supermarkets, a dry run for what could come.
“Perception of risk matters, and even if stocks are sufficient now, public runs on supermarkets can spook the public,” Quilliam said.
