Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to retaliate with force after a missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck near Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday morning, marking a rare direct hit on Israeli soil by the Iran-aligned group.
In a video message posted to social media, Netanyahu declared: “We attacked in the past, we will attack in the future.” He further blamed Iran for the assault, promising a response not only against the Houthis but potentially against Tehran itself.
The missile, launched from Yemen, landed beside a parking lot near Terminal 3, causing a crater several metres deep. Four people were injured in the blast, while two others were hurt while fleeing to nearby shelters. No fatalities were reported.
Air Defence Failure Raises Questions
The incident has raised concerns about the effectiveness of Israel’s air defence systems. Israeli media, citing defence officials, reported that neither the country’s long-range Arrow system nor the US-supplied THAAD system succeeded in intercepting the missile.
Unverified footage circulating online shows drivers abandoning their vehicles and taking cover moments before a loud blast, followed by thick black smoke rising into the air near the airport on the outskirts of Tel Aviv.
Sirens were activated in multiple cities as the missile approached, but the interception failure has prompted an urgent investigation by the Israeli Air Force.
Airport Disruptions and Global Response
Ben Gurion Airport temporarily suspended operations following the attack. Although services have since resumed, major international airlines including Lufthansa, Air France, and Delta cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv for the day.
Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant warned, “Anyone who hits us, we will hit them seven times stronger.”
Netanyahu is expected to convene a high-level security meeting to determine Israel’s response.
Houthi Escalation and Regional Tensions
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the strike, declaring, “Ben Gurion airport is no longer safe for air travel.” The group, which has launched several missiles and drones at Israel since the onset of the Gaza war, says its actions are in solidarity with Hamas.
The strike comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with the Houthis also targeting international shipping in the Red Sea. The US and UK have carried out multiple airstrikes on Houthi sites in recent months in response to those maritime threats.
As regional powers brace for further escalation, all eyes are now on Israel’s next move.
— Uzalendo News
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