3rd time in 2 days: Air raid sirens sound in Jerusalem as Houthis launch ballistic missiles during Trump visit

Air raid sirens sounded across central Israel on Wednesday morning, in the Jerusalem area as well as around the Dead Sea, following the detection of a ballistic missile launch from Yemen. 

The sirens sounded in the morning hours as millions of Israelis, including school children, were making their way to school and work. 

Shortly after the sirens were activated, the IDF spokesman released a statement saying, “Following warnings that were activated a short time ago in a number of areas in the country's territory, one missile launched from Yemen was intercepted. The warnings were activated according to policy.” 

No reports of injuries were received following the interception. 

The launch marked the third time in two days that the Houthis have attempted to strike Israel.  

On Tuesday evening, air raid sirens were also activated in the Jerusalem area, after a ballistic missile launch from Yemen was detected. That missile was successfully intercepted outside the atmosphere and no injuries were reported from the interception. 

Shortly after, another launch was detected, however, that missile reportedly fell short and didn't reach Israel.

The Houthi rebels in Yemen have continued to launch attacks on Israel following an agreement not to attack U.S. ships in the waters off the coast of Yemen. 

The latest three missile launches occurred while U.S. President Donald Trump was visiting in neighboring Saudi Arabia, with the first launch coming during his speech on Tuesday evening.

After Trump surprised many by announcing that the U.S. and the Houthis had reached an agreement, with the help of Oman, and that the U.S. would stop strikes on Houthi targets “immediately,” the terror group was quick to point out that the agreement did not include Israel in any way. 

Hizam al-Assad, a member of the Houthis’ political bureau, said the group would continue its attacks against Israel. 

“Our position remains stable in continuing military operations and shelling the strongholds of the Zionist enemy, in support of our brothers in Gaza,” al-Assad said. The Houthi politician also claimed that the U.S. had capitulated, not the Houthis. 

While several Israeli officials confirmed that the U.S. did not notify Israel ahead of the announcement, blindsiding them, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel would defend itself. 

“First of all, we are dealing with it, and the rule that I have set is: Israel will defend itself by itself,” Netanyahu said in a statement at the time. 

Meanwhile, Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists launched three rockets towards the southern Israeli communities of Ashkelon and Ashdod Tuesday evening following the attempted assassination of Hamas’ number one official in Gaza, Mohammed Sinwar, the younger brother of former leader Yahya Sinwar. 

While there has been no official confirmation, security officials have expressed optimism about the success of the strike. Meanwhile, Hamas denied that any officials belonging to its organization were at the scene of the attack, accusing Israel of targeting a civilian area. 

Following the repeated ballistic missile attacks by the Houthis, Israel has resumed strikes on targets in the Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, including significant ports and construction facilities, in an attempt to dissuade the rebels from conducting further attacks. 

On Sunday, Israel appeared to engage in psychological warfare with the Houthis, issuing evacuation notices for several targets in Houthi-controlled territory, without actually striking. 

On Wednesday morning, following the ballistic missile launch from Yemen, the IDF Arabic spokesman Col. Avichay Adraee again issued evacuation notices for targets in the territory. 

#عاجل تحذير مهم ومتكرر لكل المتواجدين في الموانئ البحرية التي يسيطر عليها النظام الحوثي الإرهابي
⭕️ميناء رأس عيسى
⭕️ميناء الحديدة
⭕️ميناء الصليف

🔴نحثكم على اخلاء هذه الموانئ حتى إشعار آخر🔴

نظرًا لقيام النظام الحوثي الإرهابي باستخدام الموانئ البحرية لصالح أنشطته الإرهابية نحث… pic.twitter.com/sqdQhvVdWt

— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) May 14, 2025

Adraee listed three ports as potential targets, warning in Arabic, “Due to the terrorist Houthi regime's use of seaports for its terrorist activities, we urge all those present at these ports to evacuate and stay away from them for your own safety until further notice.”

The ports listed were: Ras Isa Port, Hodeidah Port, and al-Salif Port. “Evacuating ports will keep you safe,” Adraee stated.