Sirens sounded across central Israel on Monday afternoon as the Iran-backed Houthis launched a ballistic missile from Yemen, which the IDF said it shot down before it crossed into Israeli territory.

Several pieces of shrapnel from the missile continued to fall after the missile was intercepted, reaching Israel and landing in the city of Beit Shemesh outside Jerusalem.

No injuries or major damage were reported as a result of the projectiles’ impact, according to rescue authorities.

Sirens went off in Tel Aviv, Rishon Lezion, Rehovot and the outskirts of Jerusalem at around 8 p.m.

The Houthis later issued a statement claiming responsibility for the missile launch, which like other recent attacks it claimed targeted Ben Gurion Airport.

The missile launch marks the sixth Houthi attack on Israel in the past week, following the IDF’s renewed offensive against Hamas in Gaza last Tuesday.

The missiles have all been intercepted by Israeli air defenses or fallen short of reaching Israel, but have nevertheless sent much of the country scrambling to shelters.

On March 15, the US announced a wave of airstrikes that officials........

© The Times of Israel