Israeli media reported that 18 people were injured in a stampede while rushing to bomb shelters after sirens sounded in Tel Aviv.
The injuries were described as mostly moderate, according to local medical services.
The incident occurred following the activation of sirens in central Israel, signaling the launch of a rocket. Earlier reports from the Israeli Army Radio indicated that more than two million residents sought shelter after a missile from Yemen was launched toward central Israel.
The Israeli military confirmed the launch of the rocket from Yemen and successfully intercepted it using the Arrow missile defense system.
The sirens rang out in the Greater Tel Aviv area, reaching as far as northern Israel. Explosions were heard in several areas, and the Home Front Command urged residents to stay in secure locations.
In a statement, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) noted that the rocket fired from Yemen was intercepted outside Israeli territory, stressing that there were no changes to the current defense protocols.
The attack comes amid heightened tensions in the region. Earlier in September, the Houthi movement in Yemen claimed responsibility for launching a ballistic missile that penetrated Israeli airspace, landing near the town of Kfar Daniel, approximately six kilometers southeast of Ben Gurion Airport.
The missile reportedly traveled 2,040 kilometers in just over 11 minutes and was part of the fifth phase of the Houthis’ operations in support of Palestinian resistance in Gaza.
Houthi leader Abdul Malik Al-Houthi has previously stated that the group possesses advanced weaponry, boasting a military arsenal that surpasses that of many nations.
