Israel's Prime Minister, Netanyahu, promises to counterattack against the Houthis and Iran, following a missile assault
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Israel Braces for Escalation After Houthi Missile Attack on Ben Gurion Airport
The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has issued a threat to retaliate against the Houthis and their Iranian "masters" following a missile attack launched from Yemen on the country's main international airport, Ben Gurion. The attack, which caused panic and minor injuries, has sparked tensions and a potential escalation between Israel and Iran.
On X, a hypersonic ballistic missile fired by the Houthi group landed near the bustling airport, sending a plume of smoke, halting flights, and wreaking havoc on the airport and commuter traffic. Four people were lightly wounded, and international carriers briefly suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv.
Reacting sharply, Netanyahu took to social media, writing, "Attacks by the Houthis emanate from Iran. Israel will respond to the Houthi attack against our main airport, and at a time and place of our choosing, to their Iranian terror masters."
As the airport services resumed after an hour, air raid sirens blared across Israel, and footage captured frightened passengers scrambling for cover. The missile attack came hours before senior Israeli cabinet ministers were due to vote on escalating military operations in Gaza.
While Iran's defense minister promised to target U.S. and Israeli bases, interests, and forces if the country were attacked, Israel's military conceded that several attempts to intercept the missile were unsuccessful. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) later issued a statement suggesting a "technical issue with the interceptor" was the likely cause of the missile's penetration of the defense systems.
Since the Gaza conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, the Houthis in Yemen have been firing missiles at Israel, although most have been intercepted. Israel has previously struck the Houthis in Yemen, and both the US and UK have launched attacks in solidarity with Palestinians given Israel's war with Hamas. The Houthi group has now threatened an "Air blockade" against Israel, specifically targeting airports including Ben Gurion Airport, urging international airlines to cancel flights to Israeli airports to ensure the safety of their aircraft and passengers.
The threat of war between Israel and Iran may escalate, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised to retaliate against the Houthis and their Iranian allies following the missile attack on Ben Gurion Airport. Politically charged wording and actions in the arena of war-and-conflicts continue to dominate general news headlines.
