Tel Aviv: A ballistic missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels strikes the perimeter of Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport, damaging a road and a vehicle, injuring eight people, and forcing a temporary halt to air traffic, Al Jazeera-verified footage confirms.
The attack, claimed by the Houthis, triggers air raid sirens across central Israel, sending residents to shelters. Israeli military admits its defense systems fail to intercept the missile despite multiple attempts, prompting an investigation.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree, in a televised statement, declares Ben Gurion Airport “unsafe for air travel,” warning airlines to avoid it. The strike briefly suspends flights, redirects some planes, closes airport entrances, and halts nearby train services. The Houthis, aligned with Iran, say the attack protests Israel’s ongoing war and blockade on Gaza, where over 52,495 Palestinians, including 57 who starved due to Israel’s siege since March 2, have died, per Palestinian officials.
Israel-Palestine War
Gaza conflict, sparked by a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, kills 1,139 people and sees over 200 taken captive. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz vows “sevenfold” retaliation, while Benny Gantz, former war cabinet member, blames Iran for the attack, calling for a strong response.
Opposition leader Yair Golan criticizes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, citing the war’s toll on Israeli captives, reservists, and families amid rising living costs. Despite near-daily U.S. airstrikes on Yemen, Houthi attacks persist.
Houthi-run Al Masirah TV reports 10 U.S. raids on al-Jawf’s al-Hazm district and three on Marib governorate on Sunday, with casualty details unclear. A recent U.S. strike on a Yemeni migrant detention center killed 68, mostly African migrants.