Israel carries out rocket engine test over Mediterranean
Trial launch of unspecified system appears to originate from Palmachim air base; authorities say exercise scheduled in advance, amid rising tensions on northern border
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
A test of a rocket engine was carried out early Monday from a military base in central Israel, the Defense Ministry said.
The ministry said in a statement the rocket propulsion system test went off “as planned,” but did not provide other details about the exercise or the type of missile fired.
Footage posted to social media showed a projectile streaking through the sky above central Israel with white smoke trailing behind it.
Based on eyewitness accounts, the rocket test took place at the Palmachim air base, outside the city of Rishon Lezion south of Tel Aviv.
The missile test came as fears have ramped up over Israel’s war against the Hamas terror group in Gaza escalating into a full-scale conflict with Iran-backed terror organization Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The Defense Ministry said the test had been planned ahead of time, indicating it was not tied to rising tensions on Israel’s border with Lebanon.
Reports of a missile launch over southern Israel. pic.twitter.com/W5cfg8PsqR
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) June 24, 2024
The Palmachim base is often used for missile tests.
An unconfirmed report online indicated that an Israeli telemetry plane was tracking the rocket test from Malta, suggesting the projectile may have been one intended for long-range use.
Israel has been developing a host of missile systems, many of them defensive, and some — according to foreign reports — offensive.
War broke out with Hamas on October 7, when some 3,000 terrorists invaded southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
Since October 8, Hezbollah-led forces have attacked Israeli communities and military posts along the Israel-Lebanon border on a near-daily basis, with the group saying it is doing so to support Gaza amid the war there.
Israel has responded with airstrikes on Hezbollah’s operatives and infrastructure, and has vowed to ensure that the terror group withdraw its forces north of the Litani river, as demanded by a 2006 United Nations Security Council resolution.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
