[MIDDLE EAST] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged a forceful response against Yemen’s Houthi rebels and what he called their “Iranian terror masters,” following a missile strike that landed near the perimeter of Ben Gurion International Airport, Israel’s primary air hub.
In a statement on X, Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel would retaliate “at a time and place of our choosing.” He reiterated on Telegram that Israel had previously targeted the Houthis and would continue to do so in the future. “It will not happen in one bang, but there will be many bangs,” he said.
The missile strike represents a significant escalation in the Houthis’ campaign against Israel, which until now has largely focused on maritime attacks and long-range missile launches. Analysts say the targeting of Ben Gurion airport—an emblem of Israel’s international connectivity—may signal a strategic shift aimed at undermining both Israel’s economy and public morale. The Houthis have vowed to continue such actions until Israel ends its military operations in Gaza, framing their attacks as part of a wider “axis of resistance” against Israel and its allies.
Iran-backed Houthi forces claimed responsibility for the attack, which the Israeli military confirmed originated from Yemen. Local media reported that the missile struck an open area on the airport’s perimeter, creating a deep crater. Defense sources also indicated that Israeli and U.S. air defense systems failed to intercept the projectile, prompting an investigation.
While most Houthi-launched threats have been intercepted during the Gaza conflict—apart from a drone that hit Tel Aviv last July—Sunday’s incident triggered alarm at Ben Gurion. A smoke plume was visible from the terminal, leading to panic among travelers and the suspension of air traffic for nearly an hour.
The missile’s breach of Israeli air defenses has raised concerns about the capabilities of the country’s multi-layered protection network, which includes the Iron Dome, Arrow, and David’s Sling systems. Experts point out that longer-range missiles, particularly those fired from great distances, remain difficult to neutralize. The incident could lead to a reassessment of joint Israeli-U.S. defense coordination in the region.
Airlines quickly responded to the strike, with major European and U.S. carriers cancelling flights in and out of Israel for the coming days. Many had only just resumed operations following a temporary Gaza ceasefire between mid-January and mid-March. This latest disruption comes after prolonged flight suspensions over the past year and a half.
The attack occurred just hours before Israel’s security cabinet was set to vote on an expanded ground offensive in Gaza. Military officials confirmed that tens of thousands of reservists had been mobilized, though the timeline for any new operations remains unclear.
According to Israeli defense sources, the planned offensive aims to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages, degrade the group’s military capabilities, and seize territory to leverage in future negotiations.
The timing of the Houthi strike has fueled speculation about broader regional coordination among Iran-aligned groups. In recent weeks, Hezbollah has intensified cross-border fire from Lebanon, while Iranian-backed militias in Iraq have launched drone attacks against Israeli targets. Regional analysts believe these parallel threats could be designed to stretch Israel’s military bandwidth as it considers deeper engagement in Gaza.
Calls for escalation have grown louder within Israel’s right-wing government. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir told Army Radio that Israel must launch a “powerful” expansion of the war, although he did not provide specifics. “We need to increase the intensity and continue until we achieve total victory,” he said, even suggesting strikes on Gaza’s food and electricity supplies.
Two months ago, Israel imposed a strict blockade on Gaza, halting the flow of food, medicine, fuel, and other essentials. Though the military is now preparing to allow limited aid under tight conditions, Israeli officials accuse Hamas of misappropriating humanitarian supplies for military use—a charge Hamas denies.
Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have continued daily. On Sunday, Palestinian health officials reported the deaths of at least seven people, including a family of four with two children aged two and four, in southern and central Gaza.
The Israeli military confirmed the deaths of two soldiers during operations in Gaza on Sunday, raising the number of Israeli troops killed since the conflict resumed in March to six.
The war in Gaza was triggered by the October assault by Hamas-led militants on southern Israel, in which 1,200 people—mostly civilians—were killed and around 250 taken hostage. Israel says 59 hostages remain in Gaza, though about 35 are believed to have died.
The Israeli offensive has killed over 52,000 people in Gaza, the vast majority of them civilians, and displaced more than 90% of the population. The humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, with widespread hunger and reports of looting amid severe shortages of basic necessities.
The Houthi attacks, including Sunday’s missile strike, underscore the broader regional implications of the Gaza conflict. The group began targeting Israeli and Red Sea interests in late 2023, claiming solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
Israel responded last year with three major airstrikes targeting Houthi infrastructure, including power plants, ports, and Sana’a airport. In March, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered large-scale strikes against the Houthis in an effort to weaken their capabilities and deter further attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
Despite these efforts, the Houthis have continued to launch sophisticated drone and missile strikes, relying on Iranian technology and support. Their persistence complicates international efforts to safeguard key maritime routes and stabilize the wider region. The group’s leadership has vowed to continue their operations as long as the war in Gaza endures.
On Sunday, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree declared that the missile strike meant Ben Gurion airport was “no longer safe for air travel.” Israel’s Airports Authority confirmed this was the first time a missile had landed so close to the terminal and runways. Emergency services reported treating at least six people for injuries ranging from light to moderate.
In response to the security situation, Lufthansa Group—comprising Lufthansa, Swiss, Brussels Airlines and Austrian Airlines—suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv through Tuesday. ITA Airways cancelled its Italy-Israel flights until Wednesday, and Air France suspended service on Sunday, rebooking passengers on Monday flights. Ryanair suspended Sunday flights, though service on Monday remained scheduled.
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