First attack sends millions to bomb shelters in central Israel, Jerusalem area; debris falls in communities near capital without causing damage; 2nd missile targets Eilat area The post IDF: Two ballistic missiles launched from Yemen at Israel intercepted;

The Israeli military said it had intercepted a missile launched from Yemen into southern Israel on Saturday, a day before a ceasefire is set to take effect in war-battered Gaza.

A missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeted central Israel early Tuesday, causing sirens to blare and people to flee into bomb shelters.

Israel and its allies have escalated strikes against the Houthis, trying to force the Iran-backed group to stop firing on Israel and Red Sea shipping.

Explosions were heard over Jerusalem as sirens blared throughout the city and central Israel on Saturday morning, AFP reported. The Israeli military confirmed that it intercepted a projectile soon after it was launched at around 10:20am local time from Yemen. The incident came just ahead of a ceasefire in the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Sirens were activated in the southernmost Red Sea city of Eilat and the Arava Valley following the missile launch. According to the IDF, the missile was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory, and no casualties were reported.

Israel struck Huthi targets in Yemen on Friday, including a power station and coastal ports, in response to missile and drone launches, as it warned it would hunt down the group's leaders.Before Friday's raids,

"We announce that we will suspend our military operations against [Israel]," the Nujaba Movement's leader said.

Palestinians and family members of hostages who were killed in captivity have been imploring the Israeli government and world leaders for a ceasefire deal.

The leader of Yemen's Houthis said on Thursday that the Iran-aligned group would monitor the implementation of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas aimed at ending the war in Gaza and continue its attacks on vessels or Israel if it is breached.

Thousands of Yemenis crowded the capital Sanaa Friday to express their support for the Iran-backed Huthi rebels, who say they will maintain pressure on Israel despite the imminent Gaza ceasefire.Every week for the past 15 months,