Missile launched at Israel from Yemen intercepted, Israeli army says

The Israeli military said a missile that was launched from Yemen was intercepted in the early hours of Saturday before crossing into Israeli territory.

Sirens sounded in a number of areas in Israel following the missile's launch, Israel's army added in a statement.

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, saying that they fired a ballistic missile toward Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel, the group's military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, said in a televised statement later on Saturday.

The Houthis have vowed to escalate attacks, including those targeting Israel, in response to intensified US strikes against the group launched in mid-March.

The US strikes, which Washington said were designed to counter Houthi threats against Red Sea shipping linked to the conflict in Gaza, have left dozens dead.

The Houthis have also pledged to expand their range of targets in Israel in retaliation for a renewed Israeli onslaught in Gaza since last month.

The Houthis had disrupted shipping in the Red Sea by launching over 100 attacks since Israel's war with Hamas began in late 2023, saying they were acting in solidarity with Gaza's Palestinians.