A missile launched from Yemen landed near Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s main international hub, on Sunday. The strike briefly halted air traffic and raised the threat of a military response.
The Houthi group in Yemen claimed responsibility. Military spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a televised statement that the missile targeted the airport. He warned airlines that Ben Gurion was “no longer safe for air travel”.
The Israeli military said it tried several times to intercept the missile before it hit. Police official Yair Hezroni confirmed at the site that the impact left a crater. He described it as several dozen metres wide and deep.
Police released video footage showing officers near the crater in an orchard. The control tower of Ben Gurion Airport could be seen in the background.
AFP reporters said they heard explosions near Jerusalem and the airport. Air raid sirens had gone off in several areas.
Israel’s airport authority later said flights had resumed. “The airport is open and operational,” the authority announced.
Warning of retaliation
Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel would respond strongly. “Anyone who hits us, we will hit them seven times stronger,” he stated.
The Houthis, who control large parts of Yemen and are backed by Iran, have launched repeated attacks since the Gaza conflict began. Their targets have included Israel and shipping routes in the Red Sea. They claim the attacks are in support of Palestinians.
The group paused its strikes during a two-month ceasefire. But in March, it threatened to resume action due to restrictions on aid reaching Gaza.
The United States responded by stepping up military action. On 15 March, it began regular air strikes aimed at stopping Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Since then, the US says it has hit over 1,000 targets in Yemen.
