Yemen’s Huthi rebels on Tuesday claimed responsibility for launching a missile at Israel’s main international airport, Ben Gurion, which the Israeli military said was successfully intercepted.
In a video statement, Huthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the Iran-backed group had fired a “Palestine 2” hypersonic ballistic missile toward the airport in a show of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
“The missile targeted Ben Gurion airport in support of our brothers in Gaza,” Saree said.
The Israeli military confirmed the attempted strike in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating:
“A missile launched from Yemen was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force.”
Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, 2023, the Huthis — who control much of northern Yemen — have repeatedly targeted Israel with long-range missiles and drones. Most have been intercepted, though the attacks have triggered several Israeli air strikes on Huthi positions in Yemen.
In addition to direct attacks on Israel, the Huthis have also targeted commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden they allege are linked to Israel. These actions have drawn multiple rounds of retaliatory air strikes from a US-led coalition.
The ongoing Huthi campaign has widened the regional scope of the Gaza conflict, drawing increasing international concern over maritime security and regional escalation.
AFP
