Visiting German minister sent to Israeli shelter after Houthi attack

Despite fierce Israeli attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen, the Iran-backed militia continues to fire rockets at Israel, with a rocket approaching Israel early on Wednesday sending a visiting German minister into a shelter.

The Israeli army reported that a rocket fired from Yemen, which triggered alarms in the Jerusalem area, had been intercepted by air defences.

But for German Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan, who is visiting the Middle East this week, the day began in the shelter of a hotel in East Jerusalem. The politician said when the alarm sounded, officials from the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), who were accompanying her, took her from her hotel room and brought her to the shelter. She then continued her visit as planned.

Ten dead in Israeli airstrikes in Yemen

Israel’s Air Force said it had again attacked targets in Yemen on Sunday evening. According to the Houthi-controlled Ministry of Health, 10 people were killed and dozens injured.

Sunday’s attack was Israel’s response to a Houthi rocket attack on Friday evening that targeted the international airport near Tel Aviv. Military sources said that was the first time the Houthis had used cluster munitions.

Since the start of the Gaza war almost two years ago, the Houthis have repeatedly attacked Israel with rockets and drones. The militia says its attacks are in solidarity with the Palestinian Islamist Hamas militia in the Gaza Strip.