Netanyahu to chair security meet to decide response after Houthi missile strike near Tel Aviv airport
A missile strike by Yemen's Houthi rebels struck near Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday, Israel's busiest international airport, causing panic and disrupting flights. The strike, which was captured in dramatic videos posted online, left a large crater near Terminal 3.
'You can see the scene right behind us here a hole that opened up with a diameter of tens of metres and also tens of metres deep,' Israeli police commander Yair Hetzroni told reporters at the site, according to report by Reuters.
The missile, which avoided interception by Israel's air defence systems, sent sirens blaring across central Israel, including Tel Aviv. Eight people were taken to hospital. One man in his 50s suffered injuries to his limbs, two women were treated for head wounds, and others sustained minor injuries or shock while running to shelter.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for emergency security meetings with ministers and top defence officials to discuss a possible response. According to Channel 12 News, the government is considering its next steps.
Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a strong warning: 'Whoever harms us will be harmed sevenfold.'
While most missiles from Yemen are usually intercepted, Sunday's strike was a rare success for the Houthis and raised fresh concerns over Israel's air defence capabilities. A military investigation is underway to determine how the missile managed to get through.
The Houthis, backed by Iran, have increased missile and drone attacks on Israel since the Gaza war resumed in March. The group said it launched the missile in support of Palestinians in Gaza and warned that Israel's main airport is 'no longer safe for air travel.'
Following the strike, flights at Ben Gurion were temporarily suspended. Although operations resumed shortly after, several international airlines including Lufthansa, Swiss, Air Europa, and TUS Airways cancelled or delayed flights. Some routes to the US, including Newark and JFK, faced delays of up to 90 minutes.
The attack comes at a time when Israeli ministers are reportedly preparing to expand their military operations in Gaza, as ceasefire talks remain stalled. The US has also launched large-scale strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen in recent months, aiming to reduce the group's capacity to strike both Israel and commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
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