At Ben-Gurion International Airport in Israel, flights and commuter traffic experienced a temporary halt on Sunday due to a missile strike launched by Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen. The missile’s impact near an access road instigated panic among passengers just hours before the Israeli Cabinet was slated to decide on strengthening military measures in Gaza. The army’s mobilization of tens of thousands of reserves signals a potential escalation in response.
This incident marked the first time a missile had landed on airport grounds since the onset of the conflict with Gaza. Initial assessments by the Israeli military suggest that a technical malfunction with the missile interceptor might have contributed to this event. In this attack, four individuals sustained minor injuries, as reported by Magen David Adom, Israel’s paramedic service.
The ongoing conflict has led to a wave of disruptions in international travel, with several airline companies choosing to cancel or delay their flights. While flights had resumed after prior suspensions due to hostilities involving Hamas in Gaza and subsequent tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon, the current situation suggests renewed concerns over safety. The Houthis, representing Iran’s “Axis of Resistance,” have consistently targeted Israel in a show of solidarity with Palestinians, which has increased their standing both domestically and internationally.
The Houthis issued a stark warning early Monday, threatening repeated attacks on Ben-Gurion Airport and urging international carriers to reconsider their flight routes to Israel for safety reasons. Meanwhile, Israel has vowed to respond to these aggressive maneuvers. Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the Houthi military spokesman, claimed responsibility for firing a hypersonic ballistic missile at the airport. While most Houthi-fired missiles have been intercepted since the conflict’s escalation on October 7, 2023, some have breached Israeli defenses, causing damage.
Israel, under the auspices of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, assured retaliation against the rebels in Yemen, with support from the United States. Netanyahu emphasized that the response would be decisive, extending warnings to the Houthis’ Iranian backers. Concurrent with this development, Israeli security officials were scheduled to deliberate on broadening military actions in Gaza.
Far-right Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has pushed for an aggressive expansion of military efforts, advocating for strikes on vital resources in Gaza. The eight-week ceasefire with Hamas faltered in March when Israeli strikes resumed, resulting in approximately 52,000 Palestinian casualties as per local health reports, though these figures blend both civilian and militant deaths.
An alarming humanitarian crisis unfolds in Gaza, with widespread hunger and shortages following Israel’s halt of goods entry as leverage in ceasefire negotiations. The conflict has displaced a significant portion of Gaza’s population multiple times. Meanwhile, a maritime conflict emerged involving a ship organized by pro-Palestinian activists, allegedly struck by drones. Malta offered to investigate, though the vessel remains in limbo in international waters.
Tragically, recent Israeli airstrikes resulted in the deaths of at least seven Palestinians, including children and their parents. The military remains silent on these strikes, while two Israeli soldiers lost their lives in Gaza, adding to the toll since March. As the region grapples with continuous hostilities, the shadow of uncertainty looms over both Israeli and Palestinian lives.