Israeli military says intercepted missile fired from Yemen

The Israeli military said Thursday it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen, as its ongoing bombardment of Hezbollah in Lebanon raised fears of all-out war in the Middle East.

Sirens went off in several areas of central Israel "as a result of a missile that was fired from Yemen", the Israeli Defense Forces said on messaging platform Telegram.

"The missile that was fired from Yemen was successfully intercepted by the 'Arrow' Aerial Defense System. Sirens and explosions were heard following the interception and falling shrapnel," it added.


The leader of Yemen's Huthi rebels, Abdul Malik al-Huthi, said in a televised address earlier Thursday the Iran-backed group "will not hesitate to support Lebanon and Hezbollah" as cross-border fire between the Lebanese group and Israel intensified.

Since November, the Huthis have targeted Red Sea shipping with drones and missiles, saying the actions are in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza war which was sparked by Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel.

Israel this month said it was shifting its military's focus from Gaza to Hamas ally Hezbollah, which has clashed with Israeli forces since the Gaza war began.

Israel on Thursday rejected a push led by its key backer the United States for a 21-day ceasefire in Lebanon, vowing to keep fighting Hezbollah "until victory".