Houthi Rocket Intercepted Near Jerusalem as IDF Faces Rising Tensions in Lebanon

Early on Saturday morning, sirens rang out across Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, the southern West Bank, and the Negev following a rocket launch from Yemen. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the missile, fired by the Houthi rebel group, was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force (IAF) before it could reach Israeli territory.

Fortunately, no casualties were reported, although Magen David Adom indicated that one person sought medical assistance for symptoms of anxiety. This attack comes after several nights of missile launches from Yemen, underscoring the growing threat from the Iran-backed Houthi group. In a similar incident last week, a missile crashed into Jaffa, injuring about 16 people.

Earlier reports from Saudi sources mentioned explosions heard in Yemen’s capital, Sana'a, fueling speculation about new waves of strikes against the Houthis. However, an Israeli official confirmed to Maariv that Israel was not behind the explosions.

The heightened security situation from the missile threat coincides with Israel’s military operations in southern Lebanon, where the IDF’s withdrawal is proceeding more slowly than initially planned. Despite a ceasefire agreement signed with Hezbollah on November 27, Israeli officials acknowledge that the Lebanese army’s deployment in the region is progressing at a much slower pace than expected, leading to the belief that the IDF may need to extend its presence in southern Lebanon beyond the initially agreed 60-day period.

The ceasefire deal, part of a broader effort to de-escalate tensions in the region, stipulates that the Lebanese army would take control of southern Lebanon and operate against Hezbollah, paving the way for a full Israeli withdrawal. However, the delay in Lebanese military deployment has raised concerns among Israeli officials.