Houthi missile successfully evades Israeli interception, highlighting the apparent ineffectiveness of US efforts aimed at debilitating the group at the country's main airport.
In a bold act, the Houthi rebels of Yemen successfully targeted Israel's main international airport, Ben Gurion, on Sunday. The incident exposed Israel's vulnerabilities and the rebels' resilience in striking distant targets, despite ongoing US military campaigns. Flights were halted for about 30 minutes as the country scrambled to respond to the attack.
The Houthi rebel group claimed responsibility for the attack, stating it was in "rejection of (Israel's) crime of genocide" against the people of Gaza. This marks the first time that Israel's international airport has been successfully targeted by the group.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed further attacks against the Houthis, hinting at a series of retaliatory measures. "We acted before, we will act in the future too. I can't elaborate all of that. The US, in coordination with us, is also operating against them. It's not 'one and done' - but there will be hits," he said.
In response, Iran's defense minister, Aziz Nasirzadeh, warned of a robust response to any attack on Iran, stating, "if we are attacked or a war is imposed on us, we will respond with might." Tensions between Israel and Iran continue to escalate, with both nations threatening each other with retaliation.
The incident has raised questions about Israel's ability to intercept such attacks despite its advanced missile defense system. An initial Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) inquiry found a "technical issue" with the interceptor itself, which was launched toward the Houthi missile.
This series of events comes amid a flurry of attacks by the Houthis over a 48-hour period, including strikes on Jerusalem, Haifa, and the Ramat David Airbase. While several missiles and a drone were intercepted, the attack on Ben Gurion Airport bypassed defenses, signaling a new threat for Israel.
As the situation continues to evolve, both nations appear to be bracing for potential escalations in Gaza and Yemen. The incident has underscored the complex and volatile nature of the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
- The Houthi rebels' successful targeting of Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday has raised concerns about Israel's ability to intercept such attacks, particularly given the advanced nature of their missile defense system.
- The attack on Ben Gurion Airport on Wednesday marked the first time that the Houthi rebel group managed to successfully target Israel's international airport, questioning the effectiveness of Israel's interceptor technology.
- While several missiles and a drone launched by the Houthis within the past 48 hours were intercepted, the attack on Ben Gurion Airport bypassed defenses, signaling a new threat for Israel in the ongoing war-and-conflicts between the two nations.
- The Houthi rebels have been launching attacks over a 48-hour period, including strikes on Jerusalem, Haifa, and the Ramat David Airbase, indicating a heightened level of hostility in the ongoing conflict, which largely revolves around politics and the politics of general news.
