A missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck near Ben Gurion Airport in Israel on Sunday, creating panic among passengers and sending a plume of smoke into the air. The Houthis, aligned with Iran, claimed responsibility for the strike, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. This attack marks a continued escalation in missile launches from Yemen toward Israel.
The missile landed near a road close to Terminal 3 parking lot, creating a crater with a diameter of several meters. Israeli officials reported no significant damage from the impact. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed retaliation, reaffirming Israel’s stance on responding to attacks. Defense Minister Israel Katz also issued a stern warning, stating that those who harm Israel will face severe repercussions.
While most Houthi missiles have been intercepted by Israel’s advanced missile defense systems, the Sunday strike was able to cause temporary disruptions. Sirens were triggered in various parts of Israel, and passengers at the airport scrambled for safety. Emergency services reported several injuries, with eight people taken to the hospital, though none appeared to be in critical condition.
Despite the attack, airport operations resumed swiftly, with airlines like Lufthansa, Delta, and Air France canceling flights in and out of Tel Aviv. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree declared that Israel’s main airport was “no longer safe for air travel.”
The escalation follows a recent increase in missile strikes by the Houthis, who have been retaliating against U.S. airstrikes in Yemen that killed dozens of people. Israel’s military is currently investigating the missile attack and remains on alert as tensions in the region continue to rise.
Source: Swifteradio.com
