Missile Fired from Yemen Set off Sirens in Central Israel, Military Says

A general view of Tel Aviv, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza, in Israel, March 2, 2024. (Reuters)
A general view of Tel Aviv, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza, in Israel, March 2, 2024. (Reuters)
TT

Missile Fired from Yemen Set off Sirens in Central Israel, Military Says

A general view of Tel Aviv, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza, in Israel, March 2, 2024. (Reuters)
A general view of Tel Aviv, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza, in Israel, March 2, 2024. (Reuters)

A surface-to-surface missile was fired at central Israel from Yemen on Sunday, hitting an unpopulated area and causing no injuries, Israel's military said.

Air raid sirens had sounded in Tel Aviv and across central Israel moments before the missile landed at around 6:35 a.m. local time (0335 GMT), sending residents running for shelter.

"Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in central Israel, a surface-to-surface missile was identified crossing into central Israel from the east and fell in an open area. No injuries were reported," the military said.

Loud booms were also heard in the region, which the military said came from missile interceptors that had been launched. It added that its protective guidelines to Israel's residents were unchanged.

Smoke could be seen billowing in an open field in central Israel, according to a Reuters witness, though it was unclear if the fire was started by the missile or debris of an interceptor.

In July, the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen fired a long-range drone at Tel Aviv, killing one man and wounding four others. The attack prompted Israel to carry out a major air strike on Houthi military targets near Yemen's Hodeidah port, killing at least three people and wounding 87.

The Israeli military also said that 40 projectiles were fired towards Israel from Lebanon on Sunday and were either intercepted or landed in open areas.

"No injuries were reported," the military said.



Quintet Committee Resumes Efforts to Resolve Lebanon’s Presidential Deadlock

The ambassadors of the Quintet countries meet at the French Embassy in Beirut. (French Embassy)
The ambassadors of the Quintet countries meet at the French Embassy in Beirut. (French Embassy)
TT

Quintet Committee Resumes Efforts to Resolve Lebanon’s Presidential Deadlock

The ambassadors of the Quintet countries meet at the French Embassy in Beirut. (French Embassy)
The ambassadors of the Quintet countries meet at the French Embassy in Beirut. (French Embassy)

After a complete pause in efforts to resolve the vacuum in Lebanon’s presidency over the summer, the ambassadors of the international Quintet Committee resumed their meetings to help resolve the impasse, which will hit the two-year mark next month.

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari, US Ambassador Lisa Johnson, French Ambassador Hervé Magro, Qatari Ambassador Saud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and Egyptian Ambassador Alaa Moussa met at the French Embassy in Beirut to discuss the situation.

Diplomatic sources, who were briefed on the meeting, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the ambassadors updated each other on the outcomes of their previous rounds of talks with Lebanese leaders and agreed to continue discussions in the coming weeks.

The sources added that French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian will visit Beirut this month, or early October at the latest, to follow up on his meeting with Saudi Royal Court advisor Nizar Al-Aloula earlier this month.

“The participants also discussed the regional situation, emphasizing that the current developments require Lebanese officials to come to an understanding to elect a president because no one will offer them ready-made solutions,” the sources added.

While no statement was issued by the attendees, sources involved in the presidential file suggested that the ambassadors will soon resume their talks with political leaders and heads of parliamentary blocs, each separately.

The diplomats will focus on two main points: the need to separate the Lebanese presidency from the Gaza war and its outcomes, as well as from the US presidential elections, noting that Michel Aoun was elected president two months before the US elections in 2016, revealed the sources.

According to available information, the ambassadors have not yet requested any meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri or caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

Aoun’s term ended in October 2022 with political blocs failing to elect a successor. Bickering among the parties has thwarted attempts to fill the vacuum.