Israeli army says intercepted missile launched from Yemen

JERUSALEM/SANAA -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen on Tuesday evening.

Israel's emergency service, Magen David Adom, said there were no reports of hits or casualties.

The IDF issued an alert shortly after the launch, and about four minutes later, air defense sirens were activated in large areas of central Israel, including Tel Aviv and West Jerusalem, sending millions of residents rushing to shelters.

Following the launch, Ben Gurion International Airport outside Tel Aviv was temporarily closed for landings and takeoffs.

Meanwhile, Yemen's Houthi group said in a later statement that it was behind a fresh "hypersonic ballistic missile" attack toward Ben Gurion Airport earlier in the evening.

In the statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, the group's military spokesperson, Yahya Sarea, said the attack was in support of the Palestinians and in response to what he said "Israeli genocide war on Gaza."

Sarea said the attack "achieved its goal, causing a halt to air traffic and forcing thousands of Israelis to run for shelters."

"Our operations will continue until the blockade and war on Gaza stop," he added.