The American Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defence system was used to intercept a ballistic missile launched from Yemen toward Israel. The missile was reportedly fired by the Houthi rebels, a group supported by Iran.

The THAAD missile defence system, which was deployed in Israel by the United States in October, was activated for the first time to intercept a missile, as reported by Times of Israel. Video footage shared on social media showed the system launching an interceptor, with an American soldier heard in the background saying, "Eighteen years I've been waiting for this."

This comes after Israel launched a series of strikes on December 26, targeting several sites, including Sanna International Airport, which is linked to Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement. According to Houthi media, at least six people were killed in the aftermath of these Israeli airstrikes.

The THAAD system, developed by the United States, is engineered to intercept ballistic missiles of short, medium, and intermediate ranges during their terminal phase. Unlike traditional missile defence systems, THAAD uses kinetic energy to neutralize threats, destroying incoming missiles through direct impact instead of relying on an explosive warhead.

A typical THAAD battery consists of six truck-mounted launchers, each equipped with eight interceptors. The system also includes a radar and a fire control system, with the radar capable of detecting potential threats from distances ranging between 870 and 3,000 kilometres.

The Houthi missile strike on Israel marked the fifth such attack in just eight days, with the Iran-backed group claiming to have targeted Ben Gurion Airport. In retaliation, Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen, targeting the Hezyaz power plant and infrastructure at Sanaa International Airport.

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Over the past year, the Houthis have launched more than 200 missiles and 170 drones at Israel, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). However, most of these attacks were either intercepted or failed to reach their intended targets.

Additionally, the group has disrupted commercial shipping in the Red Sea, launching attacks on over 100 merchant vessels, forcing shipping companies to alter their routes.