A ballistic missile launched from Yemen's Houthi rebels targeted central Israel early Tuesday, triggering widespread sirens and sending residents in Tel Aviv and other areas scrambling to bomb shelters.
Israeli defense forces reported that multiple interception attempts were made, stating the missile was "likely intercepted." The Magen David Adom emergency service confirmed no injuries or structural damage from the missile or falling debris, though several individuals sustained injuries while rushing to shelters.
The attack marks another escalation in regional hostilities, with the Iranian-backed Houthis intensifying their involvement in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The rebels, who have controlled Yemen's capital, Sanaa, since 2014, have conducted direct strikes on Israel and disrupted commercial shipping in the Red Sea. While the Houthis did not immediately claim responsibility for Tuesday's missile, previous incidents suggest a coordinated campaign supporting Hamas.
The missile launch briefly disrupted operations at Ben-Gurion Airport, where flights were delayed amid heightened security measures. Emergency responders treated 11 people for injuries sustained while seeking shelter and three for anxiety-related symptoms.
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli airstrikes targeted Deir al Balah, an area heavily populated by displaced residents. Local officials reported six fatalities, including two women and four children, aged between one month and nine years. Among the victims were a pregnant mother and her two sons, alongside another mother and her two children. The Al Aqsa Martyrs hospital in Deir al Balah confirmed the casualties.
