Latest news with #Ben-GurionInternationalAirport
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Houthis boast of 'hypersonic' capabilities amid ballistic missiles barrage on Israel
The fact that they have been able to maintain a daily attack on Israel using ballistic missiles for a year showcases their dangerous capabilities and threat to the region. The Iran-backedHouthis in Yemen have continued their ballistic missile attacks on Israel. The group is attempting to keep up an almost-daily level of rocket fire at Israel. On May 4, a Houthi missile fell near Ben-Gurion International Airport. The group has not been able to penetrate Israel's air defenses since the May 4 incident. Nevertheless, the Houthis continue to boast of new accomplishments. The Houthis launched missiles at Israel on May 27, setting off alarms near the Dead Sea. On May 25, alarms sounded in Jerusalem and other areas of the West Bank. Two days earlier, sirens sounded across Tel Aviv. On May 22, a missile threatened central Israel and Jerusalem. There were also attacks on May 22, 18, 15, 14, 13, 9, and the attack on the 4th. Israel's early warning system has been improved, giving people more time to seek shelter by telling them roughly what region is affected, prior to the alarms sounding. Nevertheless, millions of Israelis continue to be sent to shelters almost every day. The Houthis said that they launched two missiles targeting Ben-Gurion Airport and 'another vital target in Tel Aviv,' according to the Houthi high command on May 27. 'The Yemeni Armed Forces have carried out two missile attacks on Ben Gurion Airport and another vital target in Tel Aviv, spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree said,' according to Iran's state IRNA media. The Houthis claimed they were retaliating for the 'genocide in Gaza' as well as the 'storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque on Monday.' This was a reference to events surroundingJerusalem Day. 'The genocide against our brothers in the Gaza Strip, along with the siege and starvation, is a crime unprecedented in human history. This necessitates that all free people from our nation and the world take action to uphold justice, defend humanity, and fulfill their duty towards the oppressed Palestinian people,' the Houthi statement claimed. The group also claimed to have used a missile it dubs the Palestine 2 hypersonic ballistic missile. There is no evidence that the missile is hypersonic. The group then said that the 'second operation used a Zulfiqar ballistic missile, striking a key target in the eastern occupied territories.' Houthi missiles are modelled on Iranian ballistic missiles. The Houthis claim their operations are 'successful' because they claim that 'millions of Israeli settlers rush to shelters.' They also claimed to have halted air traffic temporarily at the airport. The Houthis appear to be hinting that they know their attacks have diminishing returns. Israel is used to the daily attacks. Israel is also not retaliating very often for the attacks. The US attempted to bomb the Houthis into submission between March 15 and early May. US President Donald Trump, realizing this was a bombing campaign conflict that was likely going nowhere, called off the strikes and made a deal with the Houthis that was brokered by Oman. The Houthi claims of hypersonic missiles come after Iran also claimed to have rolled out a 'hypersonic' missile in 2023. The Fattah missile was designed to be launched such that it is a multi-stage missile with a re-entry portion that is on top of a medium-range ballistic missile. What this means is that it can exit the atmosphere and return. It is not clear if the second stage re-entry vehicle part of the missile, which contains the warhead, can maneuver. Maneuverability is what makes hypersonic missiles dangerous. Any missile can be hypersonic by reaching speeds over Mach 5. However, speed alone is not what makes hypersonic missiles an emerging threat. It is likely that the Houthis' claim of 'hypersonic' achievements is based only on speed, not because their missiles can maneuver or achieve other threat vectors that would pose a challenge to air defenses. This is an example ofHouthi exaggeration. Nevertheless, the fact that they have been able to maintain a daily attack on Israel using ballistic missiles for a year showcases their dangerous capabilities and threat to the region. The Houthis don't appear like they will back down. They have suffered some airstrikes, but they are rebuilding their airports and ports that have been targeted. It doesn't appear that the missiles themselves, apparently hidden in mountains with launch vehicles that can be easily rolled out or disguised, have been targeted or neutralized. It is hard to find ballistic missiles. The so-called 'Great Scud Hunt' of the 1991 Gulf War revealed how complex an operation it is to track down mobile missile launchers. These days missiles can be hidden in things that resemble sea containers, and placed on the back of a truck. The Houthis have both solid and liquid-fueled missiles. Solid-fueled missiles can be launched faster than liquid-fueled missiles.
L'Orient-Le Jour
08-05-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Israel threatens to do to Tehran what it 'did to Hezbollah in Beirut and Hamas in Gaza'
Israel threatened Iranian leaders like never before on Thursday, stating it is ready to subject them to what it 'did to Hezbollah in Beirut and Hamas in Gaza,' four days after a missile fired from Yemen hit Tel Aviv, for which the Israeli state holds Tehran responsible. 'I warn (...) the Iranian leaders who finance, arm, and exploit the (Yemeni rebel) Houthi terrorist organization: the system of (your) proxies is over and the axis of evil has collapsed,' said Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz in a statement. 'You are directly responsible. What we have done to Hezbollah in Beirut, Hamas in Gaza, (the former Syrian leader Bashar al-) Assad in Damascus, we will do to you also in Tehran,' he added. Four days earlier, a missile fired by the Yemeni Houthi rebels, allies of the Islamic Republic, bypassed Israeli defense systems and hit the perimeter of Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion International Airport — a first. The attack, which caused a few injuries and little material damage, led to a brief airport closure. Since then, most foreign airlines serving Tel Aviv have suspended their flights. 'Israel must be able to defend itself by its own means against any threat and any enemy. This has been true in the face of many challenges in the past and it will also be true in the future,' Katz said. Iranian nuclear According to him, Israel 'will not allow any entity to harm (us)': 'Anyone who attacks us will be severely struck.' These threats also come as Donald Trump's United States and Iran have engaged in direct dialogue on the Iranian nuclear issue, seen in a very negative light by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has made the Iranian threat his main agenda for the past two decades. Israel has been concerned about the progress of the Iranian nuclear program since Trump withdrew the United States in 2018 from the international agreement meant to curb it. Its leaders regularly repeat that they will not allow the Islamic Republic, which they see as an existential threat, to acquire nuclear weapons. Tensions between Israel and Iran reached a boiling point in 2024 when Tehran attacked the Israeli state twice directly, targeting it with several hundred missiles or drones. Iran argued that these attacks, largely thwarted by Israel with the help of Arab and Western countries, were a legitimate response to an attack on its consulate in Damascus attributed to Israel and the assassination claimed by the latter, in Tehran, of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, and the elimination of Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah's leader — another ally of Iran — in an Israeli strike in Beirut. 'Changing the Middle East' Katz's threats also come two days after Oman announced a cease-fire agreement between the Houthis and Washington, to which Israel has not yet officially responded. Since the war triggered by Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, the Houthis, claiming to act in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, have claimed dozens of missile and drone attacks on Israel. They have also attacked ships they consider linked to Israel off the coast of Yemen, particularly in the Red Sea, through which about 12% of global trade passes, before expanding their campaign targeting ships linked to the United States and the UK in response to the bombings launched since January 2024 by these two countries in Yemen. The Houthis have stated that the cease-fire with Washington does not concern Israel and that they will continue to fire missiles at this country as long as the war in Gaza continues, where the Israeli army is preparing to launch a new large-scale offensive. Since the October 7 attack, Israel feels more than ever threatened from all sides, and Netanyahu repeats that the country is fighting for its survival. On Oct. 9, 2023, the head of government had announced that the Israeli response would not be limited to the Gaza Strip but that it was nothing less than 'changing the Middle East' to guarantee the security of his country.
Powys County Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Israeli strikes on Yemen's capital killed at least seven, say Houthi rebels
Israel attacks on Yemen's capital have killed at least seven people, according to Houthi rebels. They said two days of attacks, which the Israeli military said had disabled the airport in Sanaa, wounded 74 others. Israel said the rare daytime attack on Sanaa, held by Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels since 2014, left commercial aircraft burning on the tarmac as its fighter jets struck power plants and other targets. The airstrikes came in response to a Houthi ballistic missile striking the grounds of Ben-Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv. Israel's military had warned on social media that people should leave the area immediately, saying that 'failure to evacuate the area endangers your lives'. The explosions from the strikes echoed across Sanaa, sending the public fleeing to find cover as thick black smoke rose over the skyline. The Houthis' al-Masirah satellite news channel aired footage from the airport, showing its terminal's windows blown out with concrete blocks exposed and a fire burning inside. On its runway, aircraft associated with the state carrier Yemenia burned. The airline later said three of its planes had been 'taken out of service' in the attack, although those abroad in Jordan were untouched. The Israeli strike came after a flight to Amman on Tuesday took off. Other strikes hit a cement plant and power plants, the Houthis and Israelis both said. On Monday, Israel targeted Houthi rebels in Yemen's Red Sea province of Hodeida, hitting a key port and another cement factory. Israel's defence minister Israel Katz said the strike should be seen as a warning to the 'head of the Iranian octopus', which he said bears direct responsibility for attacks by the Houthis against Israel. The Israeli airstrikes involved some 50 bombs and 'dozens' of aircraft, the Israeli military said. It also required mid-air refuelling to reach Sanaa, showing their reach also to Iran as Israel has threatened to strike Tehran's nuclear enrichment sites. Sunday's missile attack by the Houthis struck an access road near Israel's main airport near Tel Aviv, briefly halting flights and commuter traffic. Four people were slightly injured. It was the first time a missile struck the grounds of Ben-Gurion airport since the October 2023 start of the war in Gaza. While most missiles launched by the Houthis have been intercepted, some missiles and drones have penetrated Israel's air defences. The UN special envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg said the latest strikes carried out on Israel and Yemen's airport marked a 'grave escalation in an already fragile and volatile regional context'. He urged the parties to show restraint. The future of American attacks on the Houthis, who have pledged to continue to target Israel, was thrown into question after US President Donald Trump said America would stop striking the Houthis. He described the rebels as having 'capitulated' and agreed to stop targeting shipping in the Red Sea, although the rebels did not specifically acknowledge such a pledge. 'We indirectly informed the Americans that the continued escalation will affect the criminal Trump's visit to the region, and we have not informed them of anything else,' said Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the Houthi's supreme political council, in a statement carried by the rebel-controlled SABA news agency early on Wednesday. Mr Trump is due to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates next week. Badr al-Busaidi, the foreign minister of Oman who mediated between the US and the Houthis, also is mediating between America and Iran over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear programme. 'Today's news about the situation in the Red Sea means that diplomatic efforts have lead to the end to the conflict between the US and Ansar Allah in Yemen,' Mr al-Busaidi wrote on X, using another name for the Houthis. 'They will no longer target each other, ensuring freedom of navigation for international commercial shipping in the Red Sea.'
The Herald Scotland
07-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Israeli strikes on Yemen's capital killed at least seven, say Houthi rebels
Israel said the rare daytime attack on Sanaa, held by Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels since 2014, left commercial aircraft burning on the tarmac as its fighter jets struck power plants and other targets. The airstrikes came in response to a Houthi ballistic missile striking the grounds of Ben-Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv. Smoke billows following Israeli airstrikes targeting a power plant and Sanaa Airpor (Osamah Abdulrahman/AP) Israel's military had warned on social media that people should leave the area immediately, saying that 'failure to evacuate the area endangers your lives'. The explosions from the strikes echoed across Sanaa, sending the public fleeing to find cover as thick black smoke rose over the skyline. The Houthis' al-Masirah satellite news channel aired footage from the airport, showing its terminal's windows blown out with concrete blocks exposed and a fire burning inside. On its runway, aircraft associated with the state carrier Yemenia burned. The airline later said three of its planes had been 'taken out of service' in the attack, although those abroad in Jordan were untouched. The Israeli strike came after a flight to Amman on Tuesday took off. Other strikes hit a cement plant and power plants, the Houthis and Israelis both said. On Monday, Israel targeted Houthi rebels in Yemen's Red Sea province of Hodeida, hitting a key port and another cement factory. Israel's defence minister Israel Katz said the strike should be seen as a warning to the 'head of the Iranian octopus', which he said bears direct responsibility for attacks by the Houthis against Israel. The Israeli airstrikes involved some 50 bombs and 'dozens' of aircraft, the Israeli military said. Israeli security forces clean the road from debris where the Israeli military said a projectile fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels landed in the area of Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv on Sunday (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) It also required mid-air refuelling to reach Sanaa, showing their reach also to Iran as Israel has threatened to strike Tehran's nuclear enrichment sites. Sunday's missile attack by the Houthis struck an access road near Israel's main airport near Tel Aviv, briefly halting flights and commuter traffic. Four people were slightly injured. It was the first time a missile struck the grounds of Ben-Gurion airport since the October 2023 start of the war in Gaza. While most missiles launched by the Houthis have been intercepted, some missiles and drones have penetrated Israel's air defences. The UN special envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg said the latest strikes carried out on Israel and Yemen's airport marked a 'grave escalation in an already fragile and volatile regional context'. He urged the parties to show restraint. The future of American attacks on the Houthis, who have pledged to continue to target Israel, was thrown into question after US President Donald Trump said America would stop striking the Houthis. He described the rebels as having 'capitulated' and agreed to stop targeting shipping in the Red Sea, although the rebels did not specifically acknowledge such a pledge. 'We indirectly informed the Americans that the continued escalation will affect the criminal Trump's visit to the region, and we have not informed them of anything else,' said Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the Houthi's supreme political council, in a statement carried by the rebel-controlled SABA news agency early on Wednesday. Mr Trump is due to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates next week. Badr al-Busaidi, the foreign minister of Oman who mediated between the US and the Houthis, also is mediating between America and Iran over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear programme. 'Today's news about the situation in the Red Sea means that diplomatic efforts have lead to the end to the conflict between the US and Ansar Allah in Yemen,' Mr al-Busaidi wrote on X, using another name for the Houthis. 'They will no longer target each other, ensuring freedom of navigation for international commercial shipping in the Red Sea.'
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Israeli strikes on Yemen's capital killed at least seven, say Houthi rebels
Israeli strikes on Yemen's capital killed at least seven, say Houthi rebels Israel attacks on Yemen's capital have killed at least seven people, according to Houthi rebels. They said two days of attacks, which the Israeli military said had disabled the airport in Sanaa, wounded 74 others. Israel said the rare daytime attack on Sanaa, held by Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels since 2014, left commercial aircraft burning on the tarmac as its fighter jets struck power plants and other targets. The airstrikes came in response to a Houthi ballistic missile striking the grounds of Ben-Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv. Smoke billows following Israeli airstrikes targeting a power plant and Sanaa Airpor (Osamah Abdulrahman/AP) Israel's military had warned on social media that people should leave the area immediately, saying that 'failure to evacuate the area endangers your lives'. ADVERTISEMENT The explosions from the strikes echoed across Sanaa, sending the public fleeing to find cover as thick black smoke rose over the skyline. The Houthis' al-Masirah satellite news channel aired footage from the airport, showing its terminal's windows blown out with concrete blocks exposed and a fire burning inside. On its runway, aircraft associated with the state carrier Yemenia burned. The airline later said three of its planes had been 'taken out of service' in the attack, although those abroad in Jordan were untouched. The Israeli strike came after a flight to Amman on Tuesday took off. Other strikes hit a cement plant and power plants, the Houthis and Israelis both said. On Monday, Israel targeted Houthi rebels in Yemen's Red Sea province of Hodeida, hitting a key port and another cement factory. ADVERTISEMENT Israel's defence minister Israel Katz said the strike should be seen as a warning to the 'head of the Iranian octopus', which he said bears direct responsibility for attacks by the Houthis against Israel. The Israeli airstrikes involved some 50 bombs and 'dozens' of aircraft, the Israeli military said. Israeli security forces clean the road from debris where the Israeli military said a projectile fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels landed in the area of Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv on Sunday (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) It also required mid-air refuelling to reach Sanaa, showing their reach also to Iran as Israel has threatened to strike Tehran's nuclear enrichment sites. Sunday's missile attack by the Houthis struck an access road near Israel's main airport near Tel Aviv, briefly halting flights and commuter traffic. Four people were slightly injured. It was the first time a missile struck the grounds of Ben-Gurion airport since the October 2023 start of the war in Gaza. While most missiles launched by the Houthis have been intercepted, some missiles and drones have penetrated Israel's air defences. ADVERTISEMENT The UN special envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg said the latest strikes carried out on Israel and Yemen's airport marked a 'grave escalation in an already fragile and volatile regional context'. He urged the parties to show restraint. The future of American attacks on the Houthis, who have pledged to continue to target Israel, was thrown into question after US President Donald Trump said America would stop striking the Houthis. He described the rebels as having 'capitulated' and agreed to stop targeting shipping in the Red Sea, although the rebels did not specifically acknowledge such a pledge. 'We indirectly informed the Americans that the continued escalation will affect the criminal Trump's visit to the region, and we have not informed them of anything else,' said Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the Houthi's supreme political council, in a statement carried by the rebel-controlled SABA news agency early on Wednesday. Mr Trump is due to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates next week. ADVERTISEMENT Badr al-Busaidi, the foreign minister of Oman who mediated between the US and the Houthis, also is mediating between America and Iran over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear programme. 'Today's news about the situation in the Red Sea means that diplomatic efforts have lead to the end to the conflict between the US and Ansar Allah in Yemen,' Mr al-Busaidi wrote on X, using another name for the Houthis. 'They will no longer target each other, ensuring freedom of navigation for international commercial shipping in the Red Sea.'
