JERUSALEM – Israel’s military confirmed on Tuesday that it intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Yemen, as the Iran-backed Huthi rebels claimed responsibility for a coordinated missile and drone assault targeting multiple Israeli cities.
“Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in several areas in Israel, a missile that was launched from Yemen was intercepted” by the Israeli air force, said a statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The missile was seen being intercepted in the skies above Sderot on July 1, 2025, according to eyewitness footage.
Shortly after, Huthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree issued a statement on Telegram claiming that Yemen’s forces had launched a “Palestine 2” hypersonic ballistic missile at Lod Airport in central Israel.
“The missile force of the Yemeni Armed Forces carried out a qualitative military operation targeting Lod Airport in the occupied area of Yaffa using a Palestine 2 hypersonic ballistic missile,” Saree said.
He claimed the operation “achieved its goal, causing millions of herds of usurping Zionists to flee to shelters and halting airport operations.”
Additionally, Saree said drone strikes targeted “sensitive targets” in Yaffa, Ashkelon, and Umm al-Rashrash (Eilat), though Israeli officials have not confirmed damage from those claims.
In response to the attacks, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning:
“Yemen will be treated like Tehran. After striking the head of the snake in Tehran, we will also strike the Huthis in Yemen. Anyone who raises a hand against Israel will have their hand cut off,” he said in a statement.
The Huthi rebels have launched multiple missile and drone attacks toward Israel since the war in Gaza began in October 2023, after Hamas launched a surprise assault on southern Israel. The Huthis have stated their operations are in solidarity with Palestinians.
Their attacks had paused during a now-defunct two-month ceasefire in Gaza earlier this year but resumed after Israel renewed its offensive in March. The missile fired Tuesday marks the first Huthi launch against Israel since the June 24 ceasefire between Israel and Iran, which ended a 12-day air war between the two countries.
In retaliation for previous Huthi attacks, Israel has carried out several strikes in Yemen, targeting Huthi-held ports and Sanaa airport, in efforts to deter further aggression from the Iranian-aligned group.
As tensions mount again in the region, international observers are closely watching the aftermath of Israel’s warning and whether it signals a broader escalation across Middle Eastern fronts linked to the ongoing Gaza war.