Israel's Ben Gurion Airport faced a missile attack this Sunday, leading to injuries and raising alarms regarding regional security.
**Houthi Missile Strikes Near Ben Gurion Airport: Rising Tensions in the Region**
**Houthi Missile Strikes Near Ben Gurion Airport: Rising Tensions in the Region**
A missile from Yemen lands close to Israel's main airport, highlighting escalating conflict dynamics in the Middle East.
A missile launched by the Houthi rebels from Yemen struck near Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday morning, according to reports from Israeli authorities. Unverified footage circulating on social media showed local drivers halting their vehicles to take cover amid the chaos as the missile detonated, producing a significant plume of smoke in the vicinity of the airport. Initial accounts indicate that four individuals suffered injuries from the blast, while two others were hurt en route to a nearby shelter during the incident.
In response, Israel's defense minister, Israel Katz, issued a strong warning, proclaiming, “Anyone who hits us, we will hit them seven times stronger.” Meanwhile, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree declared the airport “no longer safe for air travel” in a televised address. Following the missile strike, the airport briefly suspended operations but has since reopened its runways to commercial flights.
As the missile approached, air raid sirens were activated across various regions of Israel, prompting the Israeli Air Force to probe the reasons behind the failure to intercept the projectile. Visual media from local sources revealed a considerable crater left at the impact site.
The Houthis, a Yemeni rebel faction with Iranian backing, have a history of firing missiles at Israel, mainly expressing solidarity with Hamas in Gaza. However, incidents where their missiles breach Israeli air defenses are notably uncommon. Since November 2023, the Houthis have escalated their hostilities by targeting maritime vessels in the Red Sea, prompting a U.S.-led bombing campaign against the group, with the United Kingdom also providing support to these operations.
This incident underscores the complex and volatile dynamics in the Middle East, reflecting the interconnectedness of various conflicts and the potential for escalation.
