JERUSALEM, May 18 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli military said early Sunday it intercepted a missile launched at central Israel from Yemen.

"Sirens were sounded in accordance with protocol," it said in a statement.

The air raid sirens across central Israel, including in Tel Aviv, sent millions of residents into shelters overnight.

The missile attack came as Israel has launched at least eight strikes on what it said are Houthi targets in Yemen since the Houthi group began launching drone and missile attacks against Israel in November 2023, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The Houthis have also targeted Israel-linked commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

It also followed an Oman-brokered ceasefire agreement between the Houthis and the United States. Under the terms of the reported agreement, the Houthis agreed to suspend attacks on U.S. vessels in the Red Sea in exchange for a halt to U.S. airstrikes on Houthi positions. ■