Overnight sirens startle large portion of Israel as Houthis launch second ballistic missile in 2 days

Sirens sounded in central Israel early Thursday morning, as Houthi rebels in Yemen launched a ballistic missile toward the country for the second time in as many days. 

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced shortly after 04:00 a.m. Thursday morning “a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force (IAF) prior to crossing into Israeli territory.” 

BREAKING: Red alert missile sirens are going off right now in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Central Israel. IDF sources say missile attack right now from Yemen. PLEASE PRAY. Developing…. @all_israel_news pic.twitter.com/7yAd1ecUW2

— Joel C. Rosenberg (@JoelCRosenberg) March 20, 2025

Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said in a statement that the group had targeted the Ben Gurion International Airport. He also claimed to have attacked a U.S. aircraft carrier.  

“We launched a Palestine 2 ballistic missile and attacked an aircraft carrier and American ships in the Red Sea,” Saree said. He claimed that the missile hit its target, saying the attack was to avenge “the massacres against our brothers in the Gaza Strip.” 

The Houthi rebels have claimed several attacks on the USS Harry Truman in the Red Sea, without providing any proof. 

Shortly after the missile was launched, U.S. forces were reported to have carried out additional strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.

Houthi-run Al Masirah TV reported U.S. military planes attacked targets in the capital city of Sana’a, close to the airport, as well as the port of Hodeidah, and areas in the south of Houthi-controlled territory. 

The terror group later announced that 16 of its officers were killed in American strikes in recent days.

Several flights to Israel's airport were diverted due to the missile attack, including an El Al flight from London that was briefly delayed when the sirens started as the plane was making its descent to Ben Gurion Airport. Several minutes after the missile was intercepted, air traffic returned to normal. 

Sirens also sounded in Jerusalem, where the Knesset was discussing the budget and the Arrangements Law. Following a brief evacuation to a protected area, the discussions and votes resumed, and the Arrangements Law was approved by the plenum, by a majority of 63 Knesset members to 50, along party lines.  

Magen David Adom emergency services reported that 13 people sustained light injuries while rushing to shelters, with several other people treated for shock. There were no reported injuries from shrapnel after the missile interception. 

On Tuesday, the Houthis launched a missile towards Israel which was intercepted over Saudi Arabia by the Arrow missile defense system. 

The attacks came just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump warned the Houthis on social media that they would be “completely annihilated” if they did not stop their attacks. 

The U.S. president also directed his warning at Iran, saying, "Iran must stop sending these supplies IMMEDIATELY.”

“Let the Houthis fight it out themselves. Either way, they lose – but this way, they lose quickly,” he wrote to Truth social media. 

Reports are coming in that while Iran has lessened its intensity on Military Equipment and General Support to the Houthis, they are still sending large levels of Supplies. Iran must stop the sending of these Supplies IMMEDIATELY. Let the Houthis fight it out themselves. Either…

— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) March 19, 2025

“Tremendous damage has been inflicted upon the Houthi barbarians, and watch how it will get progressively worse – It’s not even a fair fight, and never will be. They will be completely annihilated!” Trump wrote.