Gaza Conflict: Israel shoots down 'aerial target' near Red Sea city of Eilat

Tuesday night, air raid sirens went off near the Red Sea city of Eilat. The Israeli military claimed to have shot down an approaching “aerial target” after the raid. The Israel military said that its “systems identified an aerial target approaching Israeli territory” following an initial alert of a potential “hostile aircraft intrusion” that caused the people of the well-known vacation spot to flee for their lives. The statement went on to say, “There was no threat or risk to civilians,” citing effective military action. No one took immediate credit for anything. Separately, the military announced that it successfully intercepted a surface-to-surface missile being fired towards its territory in the Red Sea using the “Arrow” aerial defence system, using it for the first time since the conflict with Hamas began on October 7. The Houthi movement, which is aligned with Iran, was accused by Israel last week of sending drones that detonated in two Red Sea towns in Egypt with the intention of hitting Israel. According to the Pentagon, a U.S. Navy warship intercepted three cruise missiles and a number of drones that the Houthis movement may have launched from Yemen towards Israel on October 19. Abdel-Malek al-Houthi, the leader of the Houthis in Yemen, declared on October 10 that his group would retaliate by using missiles and drones as well as other military measures if the United States took direct action in the Gaza conflict. (With agency inputs)