Missile Strike Near Ben Gurion Airport Causes Panic and Disruption
A missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck an area near Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s primary international gateway, on Sunday, sending a plume of smoke billowing into the air and triggering widespread alarm among passengers within the terminal. The Iran-aligned Houthis, who swiftly claimed responsibility for the attack, have recently escalated their missile launches targeting Israel, asserting that these actions are a demonstration of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
The incident underscores the escalating regional tensions and the expanding theater of conflict linked to the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The Houthi’s increased targeting of Israel, coupled with the potential for further escalation, raises concerns about the stability of the region and the safety of civilian populations.
Senior Israeli police commander Yair Hetzroni guided reporters to the site of impact, revealing a substantial crater near a Terminal 3 parking area. "You can see the scene right behind us here, a hole that opened up with a diameter of tens of metres and also tens of metres deep," Hetzroni stated, emphasizing that, fortunately, the damage was not extensive. Despite the proximity to a vital transportation hub, the impact was largely contained, minimizing potential infrastructure damage.
In a strongly worded statement following the missile strike, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz vowed retaliation. "Whoever harms us will be harmed sevenfold," Katz declared, signalling a potential escalation in Israel’s response to the Houthi’s actions. Israel’s Channel 12 News reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a meeting with security ministers and defence officials to deliberate on a comprehensive response strategy. The government is under pressure to protect its citizens and assets while carefully considering the consequences of any retaliatory action.
While Israel’s advanced missile defence systems have successfully intercepted the majority of missile launches from Yemen, this latest incident highlights the limitations of these systems. A previous strike in Tel Aviv last year also demonstrated the Houthis’ capability to penetrate Israeli air defenses. The military has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Sunday’s launch, seeking to understand how the missile bypassed existing defense mechanisms. Sirens blared across central Israel, including the major city of Tel Aviv, serving as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat.
A Reuters reporter present at Ben Gurion Airport, situated between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, reported hearing sirens and observing passengers rushing towards designated safe rooms. The scenes of panic and confusion were further captured in videos posted on social media by airport users, showing a dense plume of black smoke rising in the vicinity of parked aircraft and terminal buildings. Reuters has not independently verified the authenticity of these videos.
The Israeli ambulance service reported that eight individuals were transported to local hospitals for treatment. Among them, a man suffered moderate limb injuries, while two women sustained minor head injuries. Despite the injuries, the swift response of emergency services helped to mitigate potential harm.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the attack, asserting that Israel’s primary airport was "no longer safe for air travel." This declaration raises serious questions about the safety of air travel to and from Israel and could potentially impact the aviation industry.
Initially, reports indicated that air traffic had been halted and access routes to the airport had been blocked. However, a spokesperson for the Israel Airports Authority later clarified that takeoffs and landings had resumed and that operations at Ben Gurion had returned to normal. Despite this assertion, the live air traffic site for Ben Gurion reported that flight operations had experienced significant disruption.
Several flights, including those operated by Air India, TUS Airways, and Lufthansa Group, were cancelled. Other flights, including those bound for U.S. airports such as Newark and JFK, experienced delays of approximately 90 minutes. A Reuters reporter, however, reported boarding a flight to Dubai that departed on schedule.
The strike occurred amid reports that Israeli ministers were nearing approval of plans to expand military operations in Gaza. These operations had resumed in March following a two-month ceasefire, prompting a pledge from the Houthis to escalate their missile attacks against Israel.
Efforts to revive the ceasefire have so far proven unsuccessful. U.S. President Donald Trump ordered large-scale strikes against the Houthis in March, with the aim of diminishing their capabilities and deterring them from targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The United States has also maintained strong ties with Israel and is involved in negotiations with other countries to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Houthis, who control large areas of Yemen, initiated their targeting of Israel and Red Sea shipping in late 2023, coinciding with the early stages of the war between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip. This conflict was triggered by Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 hostages. Israel’s subsequent offensive on Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 50,000 Palestinians and extensive destruction within the enclave.
The U.S. strikes against the Houthi rebel group have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people in Yemen, representing the most substantial U.S. military operation in the Middle East since Trump assumed office in January. The strikes reflect the U.S. commitment to countering Iranian influence and supporting its allies in the region.
The missile strike near Ben Gurion Airport serves as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of regional conflicts and the potential for escalation. The Houthis’ actions demonstrate the increasing range and sophistication of their weaponry, while also highlighting the vulnerability of civilian infrastructure. As the situation unfolds, the international community will be closely monitoring the responses of Israel and its allies, with the hope of de-escalating tensions and preventing further violence.
