Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged a firm response following a missile strike near Israel’s primary international airport, allegedly launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
In a video shared on social media, Netanyahu warned of continued military action, stating, “We have struck before and we will strike again.”
According to Israeli authorities, the missile, believed to have been launched from Yemen by the Iran-supported Houthi group, landed close to the main terminal of Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday morning.
Reports from Israeli media, quoting emergency responders, confirmed that four individuals were injured in the blast, while two others sustained injuries while attempting to reach a shelter.
Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree declared on television that Ben Gurion Airport is “no longer safe for aviation.”
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant responded with a strong warning: “Those who harm us will be hit back sevenfold.”
Unverified online footage appeared to show civilians pulling over on nearby roads as a projectile landed, sending a thick plume of smoke into the air near the airport on the outskirts of Tel Aviv.Ben Gurion Airport briefly suspended operations following the impact but resumed flights later. However, major carriers including Delta, Lufthansa, and Air France cancelled flights to and from the airport on Sunday.
Air raid sirens were triggered across various regions of Israel as the missile neared its target. The Israeli Air Force has since launched an inquiry into why the missile evaded their defense systems.
Senior Israeli police commander Yair Hetzroni took reporters to the impact site, showing a large crater near Terminal 3’s parking area. “Behind us, you can see the crater—several meters wide and deep,” he said, while noting that overall damage was not severe.
Local media also reported that Netanyahu is expected to convene with defense and cabinet officials to determine Israel’s response strategy.
The Houthis, a rebel faction in Yemen backed by Iran, have often fired missiles toward Israel in a show of support for Hamas amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. However, successful strikes penetrating Israel’s advanced air defense systems remain rare.
Who are the Houthis?
Apart from attacking Israeli targets, the Houthis have been targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea—a situation that has led the United States, with British assistance, to initiate airstrikes against the group.
