IDF intercepts latest Houthi missile; 67th launched since March ceasefire collapse

The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen fired a ballistic missile at Israel on Friday night, causing sirens to sound in central Israel and the Jerusalem area.

The Israel Defense Forces said it successfully intercepted the missile. There were no reports of impacts or injuries.

Since March 18, when the IDF resumed its offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip following the collapse of a ceasefire there, the Houthis in Yemen have launched 67 ballistic missiles and at least 18 drones at Israel. Several of the missiles have fallen short.

Friday’s attack was the first such incident since the Houthis fired a ballistic missile at Israel on Tuesday. That missile, too, was intercepted successfully.

On Monday, Israeli Air Force drones struck Yemen’s Houthi-controlled Hodeida port in response to the Iran-backed group’s continued attacks.

The army said in a statement that those airstrikes destroyed “military infrastructure of the Houthis terror regime” at the western Yemen port, after attempts were made by the Houthis to repair areas previously targeted by Israel in response to missile and drone attacks.

Monday’s sortie marked the thirteenth time Israel has attacked Yemen, located some 1,800 kilometers away.

The Houthis — whose slogan calls for “Death to America, Death to Israel, [and] a Curse on the Jews” — began attacking Israel and maritime traffic in November 2023, a month after the October 7 Hamas massacre.

The Houthis held their fire when a ceasefire was reached between Israel and Hamas in January 2025. By that point, they had fired over 40 ballistic missiles and dozens of attack drones and cruise missiles at Israel, including one that killed a civilian and wounded several others in Tel Aviv in July 2024, prompting Israel’s first strike in Yemen.