Houthi missile thwarted as Israeli airstrikes target Gaza in latest offensive.

A Houthi missile, fired at Israel, intercepted as new air strikes hit Gaza Image source, Getty Images Image caption, The Houthis say they are acting in support of the Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza By George Wright BBC News Published 20 March 2025 Yemen's rebel Houthi group has claimed responsibility for launching a missile at Israel, which was successfully intercepted. The ballistic missile was aimed towards Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, as stated by the group's military spokesperson in a televised announcement. Sirens were heard in several locations in Israel, according to the Israeli Defense Forces. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported, and the IDF confirmed that the missile was halted before breaching Israeli airspace. Simultaneously, Gaza's Hamas-run civil defence agency reported that Israeli strikes early on Thursday have led to the death of at least 10 individuals. Israel has expanded its ground operations in Gaza following a series of air strikes that resulted in the deaths of over 430 people in two days, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The air strikes on Thursday reportedly targeted six residences east of Khan Younis, as per a spokesperson for the Hamas-run civil defence agency, and also left dozens injured. "A missile launched from Yemen was intercepted by the IAF before crossing into Israeli territory. Sirens were activated according to protocol," the Israeli military stated, referring to its air force. The Houthi group has vowed to retaliate, including against Israel, in response to recent deadly strikes by the US. A British bomb disposal expert was injured in Gaza. Israel extends ground operations in Gaza following deadly air strikes. The Iranian-backed rebel group, which sees Israel as its adversary, controls Sanaa and the north-west of Yemen but is not the internationally recognised government of the country. The Houthis have expressed their solidarity with the Palestinians in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Iran, cautioning that it will face severe consequences if the Yemeni Houthis continue to target international shipping routes. The Pentagon has disclosed that it conducted strikes on 30 targets in Yemen since Saturday, marking the largest US military operation in the Middle East since Trump's return to the White House. The Houthis made an attempt to attack the USS Harry S Truman in the Red Sea following deadly US strikes on Yemen. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed that troops have been deployed to the Netzarim Corridor, which divides the north and south of the Gaza Strip. The renewed aggression on Gaza signals the end of the fragile ceasefire agreement that had been in effect since January. Earlier, the UN reported that two individuals, including one of its staff members, lost their lives in an explosion at its compound in Deir al-Balah. The attack by Hamas on Israel on 7 October 2023 resulted in approximately 1,200 casualties and the abduction of 251 hostages, 25 of whom were released alive during the initial phase of the ceasefire. In response, Israel launched a massive military campaign, resulting in the deaths of more than 48,500 Palestinians, as per the Hamas-run health ministry, and extensive damage to homes and infrastructure. Tags: israel, palestinians, houthi, gaza, iran