The failure to intercept a ballistic missile launched from Yemen on May 4 towards central Israel may have been due to a malfunction in the interceptor missile. The Israeli army press service announced this after an initial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
„Initial findings of the review did not reveal any shortcomings in the detection procedure, the interception systems or the rear command warning mechanisms. The assessment was that the probable cause was a technical problem with the interceptor fired at the missile,“ the statement said.
At the same time, the army recalled that since the beginning of the escalation of the situation in the region, the Israeli Air Force “has intercepted dozens of missiles launched from Yemen, with a success rate of over 95%.
On the morning of May 4, the army recorded a missile attack from Yemeni territory, which led to the declaration of an air alert in many areas of central Israel, including Tel Aviv. Then, debris from a missile was recorded falling near Ben Gurion International Airport. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said after the missile fell in the Ben Gurion area that Israel would retaliate “sevenfold” to those who attack it, and the Prime Minister of the Jewish state, Benjamin Netanyahu, promised “even more strikes” in response to the latest rocket attacks from Yemeni territory.