NEW DELHI: Israel said it had intercepted a 'projectile' fired from Yemen, marking a fresh escalation in regional tensions as air raid sirens sounded across central and southern Israel. 

The Israeli Army said on Telegram that the projectile was destroyed before crossing into Israeli airspace.

"Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago, a projectile that was launched from Yemen was intercepted prior to crossing into Israeli territory," said the army statement. 

"Rocket and missile sirens were sounded following the possibility of falling shrapnel from the interception," it added.

Emergency medical responders from Magen David Adom reported no injuries linked to the incident.

This comes amid heightened hostilities with Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who last week fired two missiles at Israel. One missile struck Tel Aviv, injuring 16 people in a direct hit on a commercial area. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has since vowed to retaliate decisively.

"I have instructed our forces to destroy the infrastructure of Houthis, because anyone who tries to harm us will be struck with full force, even if it takes time," Netanyahu told lawmakers on Monday.

In a forceful retaliatory attack, Israeli airstrikes targeted Houthi-controlled ports and energy facilities, which the military claims are central to the rebels' operations.

The Houthis have reported that nine people were killed in the Israeli attacks.