Rockets Fired by Houthi Rebels Amid Passover Celebrations in Israel

As the Jewish community across Israel commenced the religious Passover festival, tensions escalated with the launch of two missiles by Houthi rebels from Yemen. These projectiles, reportedly fired by Iran-backed militants, were aimed at major urban centers like Tel-Aviv and nearby settlements around 6 PM (UK time). The Israel Defense Force (IDF) released a distressing map depicting air raid sirens blaring across the nation, stretching from coastal areas to Jerusalem and the West Bank. Fortunately, Israel’s highly-regarded missile defense system, known as the Iron Dome, succeeded in intercepting both missiles, resulting in no reported injuries. However, the threat to civilians continues, as debris from defensive interventions and the missiles can pose risks.

Under the persistent threat of such attacks, citizens of Israel are conditioned from a young age to respond swiftly upon hearing air raid sirens, and many quickly return to their routines once the alerts subside. This resilience was captured in a social media post that showcased individuals engaged in a yoga class by the Tel-Aviv seafront just minutes after the missile alert, illustrating the unique spirit of life in Israel. The image shared on X noted that it’s rare for such a stark contrast to occur between the sound of an incoming missile alarm and people continuing with their daily activities.

The Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran, have intensified their efforts against Israel, citing their actions as solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza. Their recent missile attacks resumed following the breakdown of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. This latest round of conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, has seen Hamas inflict significant civilian casualties in southern Israel while taking over 250 individuals hostage. In response, Israeli authorities are actively working to secure the release of the remaining hostages, while Hamas claims that over 50,000 Palestinians have lost their lives amid the ongoing military campaign against them.