Missile from Yemen intercepted over central Israel, no casualties reported

Jerusalem: A missile fired from Yemen towards central Israel was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force, with no casualties or damage reported, the military said on Sunday.

Air raid sirens were triggered in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and other cities, sending residents into shelters as tens of thousands rallied in the streets demanding the release of hostages and an end to the Gaza war.

“Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in several areas in Israel, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted by the IAF (Israel Air Force),” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement.

The Houthis, who control large parts of northern Yemen, later claimed responsibility, saying they had targeted Ben Gurion Airport with a hypersonic ballistic missile and drones in response to Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

The interception came just hours after Israel said it had downed a drone launched from Yemen towards villages near the Gaza Strip. No damage or casualties were reported in that incident.

Earlier on Friday, the Israeli Air Force struck energy infrastructure in the Yemeni capital Sanaa, which it said was used by the Houthis. The group has repeatedly fired missiles and drones at Israel and Israeli-linked shipping since November, while Israel has carried out retaliatory airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas, including Sanaa and the Red Sea port of Hodeidah.