JERUSALEM, Nov 11, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Israeli firefighters were battling blazes

Monday west of Jerusalem, with the army saying the fires were sparked by
debris from an intercepted missile fired from Yemen.

Firefighters were working to douse the blazes, conducting scans around Beit
Shemesh to rule out more fires and "damage from interceptor/missile
shrapnel", the Jerusalem region fire service said.

Asked about the incident by AFP, the Israeli military said the interception
of a projectile from Yemen caused fires in the Bet Shemesh area resulting
from debris from that interception.

In a statement, it said: "Following the sirens that sounded in the Shfelat
Yehuda, Yehuda, and Lakhish areas of central Israel, the IAF (Israeli Air
Force) intercepted one projectile that approached Israel from the direction
of Yemen.

"The projectile did not cross into Israeli territory. Sirens were sounded in
accordance with protocol."

Yemen's Huthi rebels, part of Iran's "axis of resistance" against Israel and
the United States, have periodically fired drones and missiles at Israel
since the start of the Gaza war.

The Huthis have also waged a harassment campaign against shipping in the Red
Sea and Gulf of Aden during the Gaza war, severely disrupting the vital trade
route.