On Sunday morning, a missile launched by the Houthis in Yemen targeted Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s largest airport. The missile struck just 75 meters from Terminal 3, where many travelers were waiting to board flights. Fortunately, the attack narrowly missed a direct hit, which could have led to a significant escalation in conflict.
This incident marked the fourth missile attack from the Houthis in just 48 hours. The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed that they attempted to intercept the missile, and the results of those efforts are currently under review. Sirens were activated in various areas of Israel as a precaution.
The missile explosion created a crater about 25 meters wide near an access road outside the airport, resulting in minor injuries to three individuals. In response to the attack, many airlines, including United, Delta, Lufthansa, and British Airways, canceled flights into Israel for at least 24 hours. A total of 422 international flights were scheduled to depart from Ben Gurion on that day, and some were suspended due to safety concerns.
This escalation comes amid growing tensions in the region. Since President Trump’s inauguration, Israel has been cautious about responding directly to Houthi attacks, but this latest missile strike has prompted officials to reconsider their stance.
Saudi Arabia and the United States have accused Iran of supplying weapons to the Houthis, including missiles and drones, which have been used in attacks against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Experts suggest that the Houthis would not have been able to carry out such precise strikes without Iranian support. Reports indicate that Iranian military personnel have been training Houthi fighters in advanced weaponry.
The missile attack has raised alarms, with some Israeli officials calling for decisive action against the Houthis and their backers in Iran. The situation remains tense, and many are watching closely to see how Israel will respond.