Houthi Missile Strikes Near Ben Gurion Airport, Israel

In a striking escalation, a missile fired by Houthi rebels from Yemen landed near Ben Gurion airport in Israel, resulting in injuries and temporary flight halts. Israeli officials vow a strengthened military response and investigate air defense failures amidst ongoing regional tensions.

A missile fired from Yemen struck near Ben Gurion Airport, Israel's primary international terminal, causing panic and injuries among bystanders on Sunday morning. According to Israeli authorities, the projectile landed in close proximity to the airport, located just outside Tel Aviv, as unverified social media footage captured the moment drivers sought shelter from the explosion, which released a thick plume of black smoke.

Reports indicate that four individuals suffered injuries from the blast, with an additional two hurt while rushing to a shelter. In response to the incident, Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, declared, "Anyone who attacks us will face a reprisal seven times more severe."

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed in a televised address that the Israeli airport is now "no longer safe for air travel." Following the missile strike, operations at the airport were briefly suspended but have since resumed. Air raid sirens were triggered across multiple locations in the country as the missile approached, with the Israeli Air Force launching an investigation into how the attack penetrated their defenses.

Local media reported footage of a sizeable crater at the impact site, indicating the force of the explosion. The Houthis, an Iran-aligned militant group based in Yemen, frequently target Israel as part of their solidarity with Hamas in Gaza; however, successful strikes that bypass Israel's defensive measures are unusual. Following a series of attacks by the Houthis on vessels in the Red Sea, the United States has initiated a bombing campaign against the group, with the UK participating in support efforts.