Houthi Missile Strikes Near Tel Aviv Airport; Netanyahu Vows Retaliation
A missile launched from Yemen by Iran-backed Houthi rebels struck near Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday morning, prompting a brief suspension of airport operations.
According to reports, the missile landed in a grassy area near Terminal 3, damaging sections of the road and creating a deep crater near the parking lot. Israeli emergency services reported eight injuries, four from the blast and four while seeking shelter.
Flights were halted for about 30 minutes. Several international airlines, including Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, and Delta, canceled flights to and from Tel Aviv, leaving many passengers stranded. Train services were briefly interrupted but have since resumed.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the missile was not intercepted. According to the IDF, interception systems were working, but a technical problem with the interceptor caused the failure.
This is the first missile from Yemen to get through Israel’s defense system since fighting escalated in Gaza in March. The IDF said over two dozen missiles and drones from Yemen have been launched at Israel recently, most of which were intercepted.
The Houthi group claimed responsibility for the strike, stating it was a response to what they described as Israel’s genocide against the people of Gaza. They later announced plans to continue targeting Israeli airports as part of a “comprehensive aerial blockade,” and urged airlines to cancel flights to Israel, citing the risk of further attacks.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of retaliation against the Houthis and Iran. “President [Donald] Trump is right. Attacks by the Houthis emanate from Iran. Israel will respond to the Houthi attack against our main airport and, at a time and place of our choosing, to their Iranian terror masters,” Netanyahu said in a statement posted on X.
