CAIRO – Israel’s military confirmed on Tuesday evening that it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen, with the Iran-backed Houthi militia claiming responsibility for the attack.
Air raid sirens were activated in multiple areas across Israel, prompting civilians to seek cover, including in Jerusalem where people were seen lying on the ground during the alert.
According to Yahya Saree, a spokesperson for the Houthi military wing, the group fired a hypersonic ballistic missile targeting Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.
The attack comes despite a recent announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump on May 6, stating that the United States would halt airstrikes against the Houthis following their pledge to stop targeting U.S. ships. That agreement marked a pause in a 17-month Houthi campaign against shipping in the Red Sea, which the group claimed was in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
Nevertheless, the Houthis have continued launching missiles and drones toward Israel. The Israeli military reports that the vast majority have been intercepted, with no casualties or significant damage so far.
Israel has been engaged in a prolonged conflict in Gaza since October 2023, following a deadly Hamas-led incursion into southern Israel. In response, Israel launched a full-scale military operation in Gaza.
The Houthis are aligned with Iran’s “Axis of Resistance,” a coalition of militant groups opposed to Israeli and U.S. interests in the Middle East. This alliance includes Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
Since the war in Gaza began, Israel has carried out targeted operations against leaders and infrastructure belonging to these groups, weakening their capabilities. However, the Houthis appear to have retained much of their missile-launching capacity.