Interceptor fragments was discovered near the Knesset compound in the aftermath of a Houthi missile attack targeting central Israel.
The Knesset spokesperson announced that two small interceptor fragments were discovered near the parliament building during a routine morning inspection by Knesset Guard personnel. According to Israeli authorities, the fragments were found in the peripheral area outside the Knesset compound, with officials emphasizing that no damage was caused. Israel Police bomb disposal experts have removed the debris from the site.
The overnight Houthi attack, which resulted in damage to a school in Ramat Gan, has raised concerns due to the absence of air raid sirens in Jerusalem and the Knesset area.
Israeli authorities are investigating the damage to the Ramat Gan school, where debris impact caused structural damage. Experts are working to determine if the destruction resulted from warhead fragments, interceptor components, or both. The presence of interceptor fragments near the Knesset, combined with the lack of warning sirens in Jerusalem, may lead to a review of air defense protocols. Hours after the attack, Israel launched an attack on Houthis in Yemen, although this was planned in advance in retaliation for the ongoing attacks by the Iranian-backed militia, which included multiple drones and missiles fired on Israeli cities for the past several months.
Defense Minister Israel Katz oversaw "Operation White City" from the Air Force's underground command center as Israel launched its response to the Houthi aggression. The operation involved 14 Israeli fighter jets conducting a two-wave strike on targets in Yemen, Israeli authorities reported. The strikes targeted strategic locations including the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Issa, and Al-Salif, as well as positions near Sana'a.
According to Israeli authorities, the Houthis have launched over 200 surface-to-surface missiles and deployed more than 170 UAVs against Israel since the conflict began. The attacks have challenged Israel's air defense systems, with some Houthi launch sites located approximately 1,242 miles from Israeli territory. The IDF's response operations are part of a broader strategic initiative developed through weeks of intelligence gathering and tactical planning, Israeli authorities confirmed.
