Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport hit with Houthi missile

An attack on Ben Gurion International Airport, Israel’s main travel hub, occurred on Sunday when a Houthi missile managed to evade Israeli and American defense systems. The Houthis, a Yemeni political group also known as Ansar Allah, claimed responsibility for launching a hypersonic ballistic missile at the airport located in the “occupied Jaffa region.” This area is considered by Palestinians and their supporters to be Palestinian land, as it was part of the historic district of Jaffa, a significant Palestinian city prior to Israel’s establishment.

The airport, previously known as Lydda Airport and Lod Airport, has a history dating back to British rule. The Houthis emphasized the missile strike’s success in demonstrating the failure of American and Israeli interceptor systems, causing an hour-long disruption to airport operations. Despite this, flights have since resumed, as stated on the airport’s website.

Following the incident, Nasr El-Din Amer, a senior Houthi official, cautioned airlines against using Ben Gurion Airport due to safety concerns. He emphasized that the airport would remain a target for Yemeni armed forces until the aggression against Gaza ceased and the blockade was lifted. In response, Israel’s Defense Forces confirmed intercepting the missile and mentioned ongoing investigations, while Israeli Police secured the airport entrances until the area was deemed safe.

Despite the attack causing injuries and a visible crater, the airport’s infrastructure remained largely undamaged. Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz warned of retaliatory measures, stating, “Anyone who hits us, we will hit them seven times stronger.”