Yemen's Houthis launch missiles at Israel, army says it intercepts

Al Jazeera

02-05-2025

Yemen's Houthis have claimed responsibility for launching two missiles towards northern Israel, targeting the Ramat David military airbase and the Tel Aviv area, as the group continues its military pressure in solidarity with Palestinians under Israeli fire.
The Israeli military said on Friday it intercepted the first missile and launched another interceptor at the second, which was also fired from Yemen.
Alarms were triggered in several locations, though authorities reported no casualties or damage. The military added that the outcome of the second interception was still under review.
Yahya Saree, spokesperson for the Houthis – also known as Ansar Allah – confirmed the group had carried a 'military operation' against a key Israeli military target.
Saree said hypersonic missiles were used and had successfully hit their intended destination.
The Israeli army responded that 'interception attempts were made' without providing further details.
The Houthi group has repeatedly said its attacks on Israel as well as United States and British ships in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait will only cease if Israel agrees to a permanent Gaza truce.
The Houthis did not carry out attacks during the Gaza ceasefire earlier this year until Israel blocked all aid into the besieged enclave in early March and followed that with a full resumption of the war.
The attacks come as the US escalates its military operations in Yemen.
Since March, the US has launched large-scale attacks not only on infrastructure but increasingly on individuals linked to the Houthi leadership.
Civilian casualties are mounting, with UK-based monitor Airwars estimating between 27 and 55 civilians were killed in March alone, and suggesting April's toll is even higher.
One of the deadliest US strikes in April hit Ras Isa port in Hodeidah, killing at least 80 people and wounding more than 150.
On Monday at least 68 people were killed in the overnight strike on detained African migrants, and eight people were killed around the capital, Houthi media reported.
Rights advocates have been alarmed about the growing civilian death toll. Three US Democratic senators recently wrote to Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, demanding an accounting for civilian lives lost.
'Strikes pose a growing risk to the civilian population in Yemen,' United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Monday. 'We continue to call on all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians.'