Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged a comprehensive, multi-phased response to the Houthi rebels of Yemen following their missile attack on Israel’s primary airport.
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“In the past, we have taken measures against them, and we will continue to do so,” Mr. Netanyahu stated in a video shared on the Telegram messaging platform. “However, I cannot disclose specific details at this time. This will not occur in a single instance; rather, we will see a series of responses,” he emphasized.
The Israeli military confirmed that a missile launched from Yemen struck within the perimeter of Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s main aviation hub. The Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for this assault.
“At approximately 9:18 AM [local time], the Israeli army detected the launch of a missile from Yemen aimed at Israeli territory,” they reported.
The missile injured six individuals, disrupted flights, and created a significant crater, marking a rare breach of Israel’s air defenses by Houthi forces, which are supported by Iran.
The Israeli military noted, “Several attempts were made to intercept the missile,” underscoring the attack’s unexpected nature.
A video released by Israel’s police showcased officers standing near the crater, with the airport’s control tower visible in the background. Fortunately, no structural damage to airport facilities or runways was reported.
The police confirmed a “missile impact” occurred at Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s primary gateway for international travel, with an AFP photographer stating that the missile landed close to the parking lots of Terminal 3—less than a kilometer from the nearest runway.
Watch: Footage of the crater near Ben Gurion Airport in Israel
“The area just behind us shows a crater several dozen meters wide and deep,” remarked Central Israel’s police chief, Yair Hezroni, in the video shared by law enforcement.
The Houthis claimed that their actions were undertaken in support of the Palestinian cause amid ongoing conflicts in Gaza. “The missile force of the Yemeni armed forces executed a military operation targeting Ben Gurion airport with a hypersonic ballistic missile,” they stated.
The armed faction of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist group, applauded the attack. “Yemen escalates its strikes on the heart of the unjust Zionist entity, penetrating even the most sophisticated defense systems in the world,” said Abu Obeida, spokesman for the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades. “They hit their targets with precision.”
Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency service reported treating at least six individuals for light to moderate injuries as a result of the missile strike.
During the incident, an AFP journalist present inside the airport reported hearing a “loud bang” at approximately 9:35 AM local time, describing the reverberation as quite intense. “Security personnel quickly directed hundreds of passengers to take cover, some into bunkers,” he recalled. “Many travelers are now waiting for flights to resume, while others are searching for alternative options.”
An incoming Air India flight was redirected to Abu Dhabi due to the missile fire.
Responding to the Threat
Israel’s airport authority announced that normal operations had resumed at Ben Gurion shortly after the interruption caused by the missile. “The airport is open and operational,” they assured the public.
In a statement reflecting Israel’s determination, Defence Minister Israel Katz warned, “Anyone who strikes us will face seven times the backlash.”
The Houthi rebels, who maintain control over large portions of Yemen, have previously launched missiles and drones targeting both Israel and maritime traffic in the Red Sea, asserting that these actions are expressions of solidarity with the Palestinians. In the span of two days, the Houthis reported their third missile attack on Israel.
Although the majority of missiles fired by the Houthis since the onset of the Gaza conflict have been intercepted by Israeli defenses, the rebels had observed a pause in their assaults during a two-month ceasefire.
However, in March, they threatened to renew attacks on international shipping in response to Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza. This ultimatum triggered a series of airstrikes from the US military, which commenced regular operations against the Houthis starting on March 15, in an effort to protect shipping routes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Since March, the United States has reportedly targeted over 1,000 sites within Yemen, a campaign that initially began under former President Joe Biden and saw increased intensity during his successor Donald Trump’s administration.
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Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
