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3. Yemen's Houthis Claim First Attack on Israel Since Start of Mideast War

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Saturday claimed their first attack on Israel since the start of the Middle East war a month ago.

In a statement posted on X, the group, which controls most of northern Yemen and targeted Israel with drones and missiles throughout much of the Gaza war, said it had launched missiles at Israeli military sites.

A few hours earlier, the Israeli military said it had identified an attack from Yemen and was working to intercept it.

A military statement said Israeli forces had "identified the launch of a missile from Yemen toward Israeli territory, aerial defence systems are operating to intercept the threat".

It was the first such statement mentioning a launch from Yemen during the war with Iran, which has entered its second month.

There were no reports of any casualties or damage in Israel, and media reports suggested the missile may have been intercepted.

Yemen's Houthi movement warned on Friday it would join the war if US-Israeli attacks continue to hit its ally Iran or if more countries join the conflict.

The Houthi have in the past attacked shipping in the Red Sea in response to regional conflicts, but had so far not intervened in the latest war.

"We affirm that our fingers are on the trigger for direct military intervention," the group said in a statement, warning that it would act if other nations joined the US-Israeli fight or if the Red Sea was used for "hostile operations".

AFP