IDF says it downed Houthi missile that set off sirens across central Israel

A ballistic missile launched Tuesday morning at Israel by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen was intercepted by air defenses, the Israel Defense Forces said.

There were no reports of injuries or damage from the attack, which set off warning sirens in numerous towns across central Israel, sending hundreds of thousands of people to shelters in the pre-dawn attack.

The Houthis later issued a statement claiming responsibility for firing the missile, saying it targeted Ben Gurion Airport.

A second missile fired several hours later fell short outside the country’s borders, according to a military official.

The IDF identified the launch, but no sirens sounded in Israel because the missile did not pose a threat.

On Monday, the Houthis took responsibility for launching a drone at Israel, which the IDF said was also shot down.

The Houthi drone attack came hours after Israeli Air Force drones struck the Houthi-controlled Hodeida port in response to the group’s continued attacks on Israel.

The IDF said that the airstrikes destroyed “military infrastructure of the Houthi terror regime” at the port in western Yemen, 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 that 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.

Traffic through the Red Sea, a critical waterway for the world’s oil and commodities, has markedly dropped due to the targeting of ships, which the Houthis claim are linked to Israel.

The group, which agreed to a deal with the US in May to stop targeting American ships, appeared to step up attacks on maritime traffic earlier this month, destroying two ships and killing several sailors.

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.

Since March 18, when the IDF resumed its offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Houthis have launched 63 ballistic missiles and at least 15 drones at Israel. Several of the missiles have fallen short.