JERUSALEM: The Israeli military said Saturday it had intercepted a missile launched from Yemen, from where the Iran-backed Huthi rebels have launched multiple missile and drone attacks targeting Israel.

Following the sirens that sounded recently in several areas in Israel, a missile that was launched from Yemen was intercepted” before “crossing into Israeli territory,”a military statement said.

The Huthis, who control large parts of Yemen, have repeatedly fired missiles and drones at Israel since the war in Gaza broke out in October 2023, in what they say is a show of solidarity with the Palestinians.

The rebels have also targeted ships they accuse of having ties to Israel as the freighters travel on the Red Sea. a vital waterway for global trade. They paused their attacks during a recent two-month ceasefire in Gaza.

According to Israel’s army radio, the missile intercepted overnight was the 22nd fired by the Huthis since they had resumed their attacks as Israel renewed its Gaza offensive on March 18.

Since March 15, Israel’s key ally the United States has stepped up its attacks on the Huthis, targeting rebel positions in Yemen with near-daily air strikes.AFP