The Houthi rebels launched a missile towards Israel early on Sunday that the Israeli military said it shot down, as the US launched more air strikes on Yemen.

Sirens sounded in parts of Israel around the Dead Sea as the missile approached. “The missile was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory,” the Israeli military said.

Houthi military spokesman Brig Gen Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the attack, saying the rebels' target was Israel's Nevatim airbase with what he said was a hypersonic missile.

It came as the US continued operations against the Houthis overnight into Sunday, part of an intense campaign that began on March 15. The Houthis said a series of strikes, including in the capital Sanaa, had injured at least eight people.