Israeli media outlets reported late Thursday that a missile launched from Yemen was detected by the country’s defense systems, but no air raid sirens were activated during the incident—raising questions about the alert protocols currently in place.

According to Army Radio and other Hebrew-language sources, the projectile was identified by early warning systems and was intercepted at high altitude, likely by the Arrow missile defense system. 

However, the absence of sirens in affected areas, including central and southern Israel, has sparked public concern and prompted calls for clarification from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Military officials have not yet issued a formal statement explaining why the sirens were not triggered. 

The missile launch is believed to be the latest in a series of attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement, which has claimed responsibility for dozens of missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli territory since October 2023. Most of these projectiles have been intercepted or fell short of their targets.

Security experts warn that even unsuccessful or intercepted attacks can have psychological and strategic impacts, especially when warning systems fail to alert the public. “The absence of sirens doesn’t mean the threat wasn’t real,” said a former Israeli air defense officer. “It raises critical questions about how threats are assessed in real time.”