Israel Intercepts Drone from Yemen Amid Rising Tensions with Huthi Rebels

TDT | Manama

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Drone intercepted near Gaza following repeated attacks linked to Yemen’s Huthi movement

Israel’s military said it successfully intercepted a drone launched from Yemen on Thursday after sirens went off in communities near the Gaza Strip.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the drone, but Yemen’s Iran-backed Huthi rebels have frequently launched missiles and drones at Israel since Hamas’s attack on Israel in October 2023, which sparked the Gaza war.

The Israeli military confirmed in a statement: “Following the hostile aircraft infiltration sirens that sounded a short while ago in the communities near the Gaza Strip, a UAV launched from Yemen was successfully intercepted by the Israeli Air Force.”

On Wednesday, Israel also intercepted a missile fired from Yemen, later claimed by the Huthi rebels. The Huthis, who claim to support the Palestinians, paused attacks during a two-month ceasefire in Gaza that ended in March but resumed after Israel restarted major operations.

In response, Israel has carried out several retaliatory strikes in Yemen, targeting Huthi-held ports and the airport in the rebel-controlled capital, Sanaa. On Sunday, strikes in Sanaa killed 10 people and wounded more than 90, according to Anees Alasbahi, spokesman for the Huthi-run health ministry.

The Israeli army said its recent strikes hit a military compound near the presidential palace, two power stations, and a fuel depot “in response” to Huthi attacks.