Israel’s military reported on Thursday that it successfully intercepted a missile launched from Yemen toward its territory, triggering widespread air raid sirens across central Israel, including in Tel Aviv, and sending millions of residents to shelters in the early hours of the morning.
“A missile launched from Yemen was intercepted,” the military said in a statement, noting that the alerts were activated “in accordance with protocol.” The projectile was intercepted before reaching Israeli airspace.
The early-morning launch also prompted sirens at Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s main international gateway. According to Israeli media outlet Ynet, landings were temporarily suspended, and several incoming flights were delayed mid-air as a precaution.
Emergency services responded swiftly, but no injuries were reported. Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service confirmed there were no casualties.
The missile was believed to have been launched by Houthi forces in Yemen. While the group recently claimed it would cease attacks on U.S. ships, it has continued to fire missiles toward Israel, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The ongoing war, now in its 19th month, has resulted in over 53,000 deaths in Gaza, according to local health authorities.
In response to Houthi aggression, Israel has carried out a series of retaliatory airstrikes in Yemen, including a strike earlier this month on the capital, Sanaa, that damaged the country’s main international airport and reportedly killed several people.
