JERUSALEM, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- A ballistic missile fired by Houthi forces in Yemen was intercepted by Israeli air defense systems early Sunday, the Israeli military said.

The missile triggered air raid sirens in areas near Ben Gurion International Airport outside Tel Aviv, the Judean lowlands, the Dead Sea, and several settlements in the occupied West Bank, sending millions of residents to shelters and safe rooms before dawn.

No casualties were reported, according to Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service.

The Israeli military said in a statement that "following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in several areas in Israel, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted by the IAF (Israel Air Force)."

The Houthi armed forces said in a statement that "sensitive sites" in Israel were targeted with a "hypersonic ballistic missile Palestine-2."

The group added that it was "monitoring developments in Gaza and coordinating with the resistance," vowing to continue operations "until the aggression on Gaza stops and the siege is lifted."

The Houthis have been launching missile and drone attacks on Israel and Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea since the Gaza conflict broke out in October 2023, in a show of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Israel has responded with strikes on Houthi-held areas in Yemen. ■