SANAA/JERUSALEM, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group on Wednesday claimed launching two ballistic missiles, one of which carried a "fragmentation warhead," on central Israel this morning, targeting two "sensitive targets" in Tel Aviv.

"The operation successfully achieved its objectives," and caused millions of Israelis to "rush to shelters," Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, without identifying the "sensitive targets."

The attacks were in support of Gaza, and in response to the Israeli airstrikes on Sanaa last week that killed 12 senior figures of the Houthi group, including Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi of the Houthi-backed government, Sarea said.

"Our attacks will continue at an escalating pace during the next phase," Sarea added.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Israeli military said that a missile launched from Yemen triggered sirens "in several areas in Israel," and was then intercepted.

The missile triggered air raid sirens in multiple cities, including Tel Aviv, sending millions to shelters and safe rooms during the morning rush hours.

Magen David Adom, Israel's national rescue service, said fragments of the interceptor missile were found in the Ben Shemen Forest near Jerusalem, but no injuries were reported.

The Israeli news site Ynet reported that landings and departures at Ben Gurion International Airport outside Tel Aviv were briefly halted.

The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, have carried out drone and missile attacks on Israel since November 2023 in what they describe as solidarity with Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Most of the projectiles have been intercepted by Israeli defenses.

Israel has responded with strikes on Houthi-held areas, targeting airports, power stations, and ports in Sanaa and Hodeidah. ■