"A short while ago, the IAF (Israeli air force) intercepted three UAVs that made their way from Yemen," the military said in a statement, adding two were downed before entering Israeli airspace. It did not specify what happened to the third.

Israel assassinated the head of the Iran-backed Huthi government together with 11 other senior officials in air strikes two weeks ago.

In retaliation, the Yemeni rebels have launched eight ballistic missiles and seven UAVs at Israel, all of which were intercepted or fell on the way, according to Israeli media reports.

Since the Gaza war erupted in October 2023, the Huthis have declared their support for the Palestinians and have launched regular drone and missile attacks against Israel in solidarity.

In response, Israel has carried out several rounds of retaliatory strikes in Yemen, targeting ports, power stations and the international airport in Sanaa, the rebel-held capital.

Last week, amid the ongoing escalation, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz vowed to inflict the biblical 10 plagues of Egypt on the Huthis.