Houthi ballistic missile targeting northern Israel wakes up about a million Israelis with sirens

A missile launched from Houthi territory in Yemen set off alarms across northern Israel in the areas of Nahariya, Haifa and the Western Galilee early on Wednesday morning before being intercepted by missile defense systems. 

Before the alarms were activated around 4 a.m., IDF Home Front Command said a launch from Yemen toward Israel had been detected and that “aerial defense systems are operating to intercept the threat.” 

Nearly one million people live in the target area where the alarms were activated, particularly in the Haifa and Krayot region. 

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a statement shortly after the alarms were activated: “Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in Haifa, the Krayot and the Western Galilee, a missile was launched from Yemen. An interceptor was launched toward the missile and the results of the interception are under review. Sirens were sounded in accordance with protocol.” 

🚨Sirens sounding in northern Israel due to projectile fire from Yemen pic.twitter.com/OYTqPjCqsj

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) April 23, 2025

This was the first time a missile from Yemen triggered alarms in the Haifa Bay area.

Somewhat unusually, the IDF did not explicitly confirm whether the missile had been successfully intercepted and destroyed.

“An interceptor was launched toward the missile, and the missile was most likely successfully intercepted,” the IDF said in its final statement about the incident. 

Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency services reported that it did not receive any calls regarding injuries caused by falling shrapnel from the missile or its interception.

The previous ballistic missile launched by the Houthis came during the Passover holiday last week, targeting the area of Jerusalem, the Shephelah, Samaria and Gush Dan. 

On Sunday night, there were reports that an attempted launch by the Houthis failed, with the missile landing in the capital city of Sana’a, causing injuries and destruction.

Meanwhile, the United States continues to carry out strikes against targets in Houthi-controlled territory, including the port city of Hodeidah and the capital city of Sana’a. 

On Monday, U.S. warplanes launched at least 25 strikes against Houthi rebel positions on the front line of the group’s fight against the internationally recognized government forces in the south. 

The strikes, which targeted areas south of the strategic Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, come amid reports that Yemeni government forces are preparing to renew their attacks on the city, possibly with the air support of U.S. forces and other allied forces in the area. 

The Associated Press reported that U.S. airstrikes on Houthi targets continued on Wednesday morning, saying the rebels reported strikes on Hodeidah, Marib and Sa’ada governorates. 

On Tuesday evening, Houthi military spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Yahya Saree, claimed the group had shot down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone. The group has previously reported downing several U.S. combat and reconnaissance drones. 

The U.S. military acknowledged the reported downing of the drone, but did not provide any further details. 

Fox News reported that President Donald Trump notified Congress that he had ordered the Department of Defense (DOD) to deploy additional forces to the Middle East in preparation for further missions against the Houthis. This move is part of the ongoing campaign, launched on March 15, aimed at eliminating the Houthi rebels’ ability to threaten shipping in the strategic Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

In the letter dated March 28, but only released on Tuesday, Trump notified House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate President Chuck Grassley that he had instructed the DOD to increase military presence and operations in the area until the Houthis no longer pose a threat.

"I will no longer allow this band of pirates to threaten and attack United States forces and commercial vessels in one of the most important shipping lanes in the world," Trump wrote. "We will act to keep Americans safe.”