Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged retaliation following a missile strike by Yemen’s Houthi militia that landed near Ben Gurion International Airport, Israel’s primary international gateway.
The attack, which the Houthis claimed responsibility for, struck open ground on the airport’s perimeter, causing disruption to air travel and prompting a heightened security response. The Israeli military confirmed the missile originated from Yemen, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing regional tensions.
Taking to social media platform X, Prime Minister Netanyahu declared that Israel would retaliate “at a time and place of our choosing,” and reiterated on Telegram that past actions against the Houthis would be followed by further operations. “It will not happen in one bang, but there will be many bangs,” he stated.
Local media reported that the missile evaded both Israeli and U.S. defense systems, leaving a large crater near the airport and triggering panic among passengers. Operations at the airport were temporarily suspended, and smoke from the impact site was visible across the area. Six people sustained minor to moderate injuries, according to emergency services.
The attack prompted several international airlines, including Lufthansa Group, Air France, ITA Airways, and Ryanair, to suspend flights to and from Tel Aviv. Many carriers had only recently resumed services following a temporary Gaza ceasefire earlier this year.
The missile strike came just hours before Israel’s security cabinet was scheduled to vote on expanding military operations in Gaza. Tens of thousands of reservists have reportedly been mobilized, with military officials stating that the objective of the planned offensive would be to pressure Hamas into releasing remaining hostages, further degrade the group’s military infrastructure, and secure leverage for future negotiations.
Far-right members of Netanyahu’s cabinet, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have called for a broad and intensified campaign in Gaza. “We need to increase the intensity and continue until we achieve total victory,” Ben-Gvir told Israeli Army Radio. He also advocated targeting infrastructure, including food and power supplies, to further weaken Hamas.
Since the outbreak of the war in October, Israeli forces have imposed a strict blockade on Gaza, cutting off access to food, fuel, and medical supplies. While preparations are underway to allow limited aid under tightly controlled conditions, Israeli officials continue to accuse Hamas of diverting humanitarian resources for military purposes—a claim Hamas denies.
On Sunday, Israeli airstrikes continued across the Gaza Strip. According to Palestinian medical sources, at least seven people were killed, including two parents and their two young children. The Israeli military confirmed the deaths of two soldiers in combat, bringing the number of Israeli military fatalities since March to six.
The war was triggered by Hamas’s deadly October 7 attack on southern Israel, which left 1,200 people dead and 250 taken hostage. Israel claims that 59 hostages remain in Gaza, though many are presumed dead. Palestinian casualties, according to local health authorities, have surpassed 52,000—most of them civilians. The conflict has displaced over 90% of Gaza’s population, compounding an already severe humanitarian crisis.
Sunday’s Houthi missile strike underscores the growing regional dimension of the Gaza conflict. The Iran-backed Yemeni militia has carried out numerous attacks targeting Israel and commercial shipping in the Red Sea since late 2023, citing solidarity with Palestinians.
In response to previous Houthi strikes, Israel has conducted major air raids on infrastructure in Yemen, including power stations and airports. In March, U.S. President Donald Trump authorized a series of large-scale strikes against the Houthis aimed at degrading their capabilities and deterring attacks on maritime traffic.
Speaking after the attack, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree warned that Israel’s main airport was “no longer safe for air travel.”
The Israel Airports Authority confirmed the missile strike marked the first time a projectile had landed in such close proximity to Ben Gurion’s terminal and runways. Heightened security remains in place as authorities continue their investigation.
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