Israel Intercepts Missile Launched from Yemen

JERUSALEM, 21 March 2025 (BSS/AFP) – Israel’s military has confirmed that it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen on Thursday, marking the second such incident within 24 hours. The interception followed air raid sirens sounding across multiple locations, including Jerusalem.

Missile Interception

According to a statement from the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), an air force unit successfully neutralised the missile before it entered Israeli airspace.

“Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in a number of areas in Israel, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted by the IAF (Israeli Air Force) prior to crossing into Israeli territory,” the statement read.

Eyewitness reports from AFP journalists confirmed that air raid sirens echoed through Jerusalem during the attack.

Houthi Rebels Claim Responsibility

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen issued a statement via Telegram, claiming responsibility for the missile launch.

“The Yemeni Armed Forces’ missile force carried out a qualitative military operation targeting an Israeli military target south of the occupied Jaffa region with a Palestine 2 hypersonic ballistic missile,” the statement declared.

The Houthis have repeatedly threatened to escalate their military actions in response to Israel’s continued operations in Gaza.

“These operations, in addition to the ban on Israeli navigation, will continue until the aggression on Gaza stops and the siege is lifted,” the group asserted.

Escalation in Regional Conflict

On the same day, Israel’s military also reported an intercepted projectile fired from Gaza, while two additional projectiles landed in uninhabited areas. Hamas’s military wing later confirmed that it had launched rockets at Tel Aviv, citing retaliation for civilian casualties in Gaza.

Earlier on Thursday, the Israeli military intercepted another missile from Yemen, which the Houthis described as a hypersonic ballistic missile intended to strike Israel’s main international airport.

Houthi Attacks in the Red Sea

Beyond targeting Israel, the Houthis have also launched attacks on US military assets. The rebel group claimed responsibility for another assault on an American aircraft carrier group in the Red Sea, following intensified US-led strikes against the group in Yemen.

Since the onset of the Gaza war on 7 October 2023, the Houthis have actively targeted shipping routes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, citing solidarity with Palestinians. Their attacks had briefly ceased during a ceasefire period starting in mid-January but resumed after US airstrikes on Yemen last Saturday.

Casualties in Gaza

Israel resumed its air campaign in Gaza early Tuesday, launching a series of deadly airstrikes. The civil defence agency in Gaza reported on Thursday that 504 people had been killed in the renewed assault, with over 190 children among the casualties.

Geopolitical Implications

The renewed hostilities and missile interceptions highlight the growing complexity of Middle Eastern conflicts. With Israel facing attacks from both Gaza and Yemen, and the United States retaliating against Houthi forces, the situation remains highly volatile.

The international community continues to monitor these developments closely, as escalating military actions could further destabilise the region and impact global trade routes, particularly through the Red Sea.