Houthi rebels launch hypersonic missile at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for a missile strike targeting Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport, in what they describe as a “high-precision military operation.”

The announcement was made through the Houthi-run Al Masirah TV, citing a statement from military spokesperson Yahya Saree, per Caliber.Az.

According to Saree, the strike involved a Palestine-2 hypersonic ballistic missile and was aimed at Lod Airport, located in the area of Jaffa. He declared the operation successful, asserting that airport operations were disrupted as a result. He further claimed that the attack prevented an American military cargo plane from landing at the airport for the second consecutive day.

The Houthi spokesman framed the missile strike as part of the group’s continued support for what he called “the oppressed Palestinian people.” The attack triggered air raid sirens in nearly 300 areas across Israel, including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and parts of the occupied West Bank. Authorities reported that sirens also sounded in both the northern and southern regions of the country. Following the alert, Ben Gurion Airport temporarily halted flight operations.

The Houthis, formally known as Ansar Allah, are a Shiite movement that controls much of northern Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa. Since the outbreak of the Gaza war on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel, the Houthis have aligned themselves more openly with the so-called “Axis of Resistance,” which includes Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon and militant groups in Iraq and Syria.

Initially focusing on disrupting maritime traffic in the Red Sea, Yemeni operations have since expanded to target Israeli economic hubs, including the southern port of Eilat and now Ben Gurion Airport. On May 20, Yemen announced a naval blockade on Haifa Port, a vital entry point for Israeli cargo, escalating the scope of its military involvement.

By Tamilla Hasanova