The Israeli army stated that they successfully intercepted a missile fired from Yemen early Thursday prior to entering Israeli airspace. At the same time, residents of Jerusalem reported hearing both air raid alarms and detonations of interception devices.

There have been no reports of injuries. According to the Houthis, they launched a ballistic missile targeting Israel's international airport, marking the second such assault since the U.S. initiated fresh rounds of airstrikes against the rebel group earlier this week.

Throughout the years, Israel has established an advanced system designed to identify approaching projectiles and deploy defensive measures solely when these threats are aimed at populated areas or critical military or civilian installations. Israeli officials maintain that while the system cannot offer absolute assurance, they attribute to it significant success in averting major destruction and numerous potential fatalities.

Let's take a detailed look at Israel's multi-layered air defense system:

The Arrow

The missile defense system created alongside the United States is intended for interception of long-range rockets. The Arrow, operating beyond Earth’s atmosphere, was employed to counteract long-range projectiles fired by the Houthis and also those dispatched by Iran amid two separate confrontations earlier this year.

David's Sling

Developed jointly with the United States, David's Sling is designed to counter medium-range missiles, like those held by Hezbollah in Lebanon. This system was utilized several times during the conflict.

Iron Dome

Developed by Israel with support from the United States, this system focuses on neutralizing short-range rockets. Since being deployed at the start of the previous decade, it has successfully intercepted thousands of projectiles, including those fired by Hamas and Hezbollah during the ongoing conflict. According to Israeli claims, the system boasts an accuracy rate exceeding 90%.

Iron Beam

Israel is working on a novel defense mechanism aimed at neutralizing approaching threats using laser technology. This innovation is expected to revolutionize security measures as it promises significant savings compared to current technologies. Reports from Israeli media indicate that each interception by the Iron Dome costs approximately $50,000; however, alternative methods often exceed expenses of over $2 million for every missile deployed. In comparison, government representatives assert that employing the forthcoming Iron Beam system could reduce these expenditures down to just a few dollars per interception—though this advanced setup remains non-operational as of now.