1st LD Writethru: Israeli army says intercepted missile from Yemen

JERUSALEM, June 1 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that it successfully intercepted a missile launched from Yemen on Sunday.

Israel's Channel 12 News reported that the missile was aimed at Ben Gurion International Airport outside Tel Aviv, adding that the airport was temporarily closed for takeoffs and landings.

It added that since March 18, 49 missiles have been fired from Yemen at Israel.

Meanwhile, Israel's Magen David Adom emergency service said in a statement that no casualties were reported.

The missile launch activated air defense sirens across large areas of central Israel, including Tel Aviv and West Jerusalem.

The launch came as Houthi forces in Yemen have pledged to halt attacks on U.S. vessels but have continued to fire missiles at Israel, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, where an Israeli offensive that began in October 2023 has killed more than 54,000 people, according to Gaza health authorities.

Israel has carried out a series of airstrikes in Yemen, including two strikes in May on the capital, Sanaa, which damaged the country's main international airport and killed several people. Enditem