Military says interceptor malfunction likely behind today’s Houthi missile impact

An Israeli Air Force probe into this morning’s failure to intercept a Houthi ballistic missile, which impacted at Ben Gurion Airport, has found that there was likely a technical malfunction with the Israeli interceptor itself.

“The initial findings indicate that no failure was found in the identification process, the operation of the interception systems and the warning for the Home Front,” the military says.

According to the preliminary investigation, which was led by IAF chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, there was likely a “pinpoint technical malfunction” with the Arrow interceptor launched at the missile from Yemen.

The Americans’ THAAD system deployed to Israel also attempted to engage the Houthi missile, though its interceptor missed the target.

The military says that since the start of the war, it has shot down dozens of missiles launched from Yemen, with a successful interception rate of over 95%.