Israel says 2 missiles from Yemen's Houthis intercepted

JERUSALEM/SANAA -- The Israeli military said Thursday that its air defense systems intercepted two missiles launched by militants in Yemen.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing explosions in Jerusalem. Police said air raid sirens were activated in central Israel, including Tel Aviv, as well as in the Jerusalem area and several settlements in the occupied West Bank.

"The two missiles were intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory," the military said in a statement, adding that the sirens were activated "in accordance with protocol."

Meanwhile, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV that the group launched two fresh ballistic missile attacks, aiming at Ben Gurion Airport in central Israel, and a military target south of Tel Aviv, respectively.

He said the group launched another attack targeting "US warships in the Red Sea, including USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, using several ballistic and cruise missiles and drones."

He said the group will "continue to prevent Israeli navigation in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea" until Israel stops its "aggression" against Gazans and lifts its siege on the Palestinian enclave.

According to al-Masirah TV, the US military launched a series of airstrikes earlier in the day in and around Sanaa, killing two people and wounding two others.

So far, the US side has not commented on this incident.

The Houthis, which control much of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, have been fighting against the internationally-recognized government since 2014.

Tensions between the Houthis and the US military have escalated since Washington launched fresh airstrikes on Yemen on March 15. The strikes followed Houthi threats to resume attacks on Israeli targets unless humanitarian aid is allowed into Gaza.

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump indicated that US airstrikes against the Houthis will continue for a long time.