Israel’s military announced on Saturday that it successfully intercepted a missile launched from Yemen before it could reach Israeli territory. It also shot down a drone approaching from the east.
“Following sirens that sounded in several regions of Israel, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted,” the military said in a statement. “The missile was neutralized before entering Israeli territory.”
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels later claimed responsibility for the attack. They said they had targeted an air base in Israel’s Negev region using what they described as a “hypersonic ballistic missile.”
In a separate update, the Israeli military confirmed that the air force had intercepted a drone approaching from the east.
The Houthis, who control large parts of Yemen, have carried out dozens of missile and drone attacks against Israel since Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza. Another Iran-aligned group, the “Islamic Resistance in Iraq,” has also claimed responsibility for similar attacks.
The Houthis have additionally targeted ships in the Red Sea that they believe are linked to Israel. These attacks briefly paused during a Gaza ceasefire that started on January 19 but resumed after the ceasefire ended on March 1. Following Israel’s renewed military offensive on Gaza on March 18, attacks by the Houthis picked up again.
According to Israeli military radio, the intercepted missile on Saturday was the 22nd missile intercepted since the fighting resumed.
Meanwhile, the United States launched airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen on March 15, aiming to stop the attacks on shipping and Israel.
As Israel’s military operations in Gaza continue, local health authorities report that 52,243 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, 2023. Another 117,639 people have been injured.
There have been recent developments regarding a possible ceasefire. Hamas has announced that it is willing to release all remaining hostages in Gaza in one operation, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
However, Hamas is demanding a full five-year truce and an immediate end to Israel’s offensive as conditions for accepting a new ceasefire deal.
