Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised retaliatory action against Yemen’s Houthi movement and “their Iranian terror masters” after a missile struck the perimeter of Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv.
“Israel will respond to the Houthi attack at a time and place of our choosing,” Netanyahu said on Sunday via social media platform X, later adding on Telegram that Israel had acted against the Houthis previously and would do so again. “It will not happen in one bang, but there will be many bangs,” he stated.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, which Israeli military confirmed was launched from Yemen. Local media reported that Israeli and U.S. defence systems failed to intercept the missile, which left a deep crater in an open field near the airport.
The strike sent smoke into the air, caused panic among airport passengers and suspended air traffic for an hour. European and American carriers have cancelled flights for the next few days, having only recently resumed services after suspending them during much of the Gaza conflict.
Military officials confirmed tens of thousands of Israeli reservists had been called up ahead of a planned expansion of operations in Gaza, though timing remains unclear. The security cabinet was due to vote Sunday on plans for a new offensive aimed at pressuring Hamas to release remaining hostages and degrading the group’s military capabilities.
Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for a “powerful” expansion of the war, telling Israeli Army Radio, “We need to increase the intensity and continue until we achieve total victory.”
Israeli airstrikes continued across Gaza Sunday, with Palestinian medics reporting at least seven Palestinians killed in southern and central Gaza, including two parents and their two young children. Israel’s military announced two soldiers were killed in combat, bringing Israeli troop deaths to six since fighting resumed in March.
The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. Israel says 59 hostages remain in Gaza, with approximately 35 believed dead. The Israeli offensive has killed more than 52,000 Palestinians and displaced over 90% of Gaza’s population.
The Houthis, who control large parts of Yemen, began targeting Israel and Red Sea shipping in late 2023, claiming solidarity with Palestinians. Former U.S. President Donald Trump ordered large-scale strikes against Houthi targets in March to protect commercial shipping.
Several airlines including Lufthansa Group, ITA Airways, Air France and Ryanair have adjusted their flight schedules following the missile strike, with some suspending service through midweek.
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