JERUSALEM, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that it successfully intercepted a missile launched from Yemen toward Israel early Friday morning.

Sirens were activated in central Israel's Tel Aviv and occupied Jerusalem, prompting millions of residents to seek immediate shelter.

Israel's national emergency service, Magen David Adom, said no fatalities were reported, adding that several individuals sustained minor injuries while rushing to shelters.

This incident came one day after the IDF introduced a new alert protocol on Thursday.

Under the new protocol, civilians will receive notifications three to five minutes before the activation of air raid sirens.

According to the IDF, the preliminary alert could allow early preparedness, giving civilians more time to reach shelters and safe rooms amid renewed missile attacks by Houthi forces, following Israel's resumption of air and ground assaults on Gaza on March 18.

The Times of Israel online news website reported that since March 18, the Houthis in Yemen have launched more than 20 ballistic missiles and several drones toward Israel. It added that half of the Houthi missiles triggered sirens in Israel and were intercepted, while the others fell short. ■