On the night of Shabbat, a missile launched by Houthi terrorists from Yemen fell in Jaffa. The IDF continues to investigate the cause of the second interception failure of a ballistic missile launched from Yemen. It is possible that this is due to the missile’s more advanced warhead — a maneuvering warhead. However, in the past, the „Hetz-3“ missiles have successfully dealt with such targets, so further examination is required.
In addition to the „Hetz“ failure, there was also a malfunction of two other intercepting missiles that were launched — „Kela David“ and another type — and this is also under investigation.
The fact that three intercepting missiles failed is exceptional. This clearly demonstrates the magnitude of the miracle that occurred here!
Despite all the latest air defense systems failing, the missile did not cause severe damage or, G-d forbid, casualties, because it fell in a public park that was empty (as it happened early in the morning). There were only minor injuries from shrapnel. The miracle was even greater considering that the siren sounded after the missile had already fallen! So people didn’t even have the opportunity to hide and protect themselves!
In the end, we once again witnessed a clear illustration of the phrase we recall every time we celebrate Chanukah: „A great miracle happened here“: first, the warning system failed — the siren sounded after the missile had fallen; second, „Hetz-3“ failed; third, „Kela David“ and another interceptor failed; finally, a heavy missile fell in a residential area (and not in an open area).
But despite all this — a great miracle occurred — the missile fell in a public park when there were no people in it.
A fragment of the ballistic missile fell in Jaffa on Chabad Street, near Baal Shem Tov Street and Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezeritch Street. And all this happened on the 20th of Kislev — the New Year of Chassidism. The names of these streets are associated with three individuals: the Baal Shem Tov — the founder of Chassidism, his disciple Rabbi Dov Ber (whose passing was on the 19th of Kislev) — the continuer of the Baal Shem Tov’s teachings, and Rabbi Dov Ber’s disciple — the Alter Rebbe — the founder of Chabad.
„Give thanks to the L-rd, for He is good; His mercy endures forever!“