Israel Vows Forceful Response After Houthi Missile Strikes Ben Gurion Airport
“Our air defense systems responded immediately. We urge all civilians to adhere to home front defense instructions issued by central command,” IDF said in a statement.
By Ahora Qadi
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Israel has pledged a severe and uncompromising military response following a rare missile strike launched Sunday morning by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeting Ben Gurion International Airport, the country's primary gateway.
On May 4, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the government will retaliate with aerial strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.
“We have previously targeted the Houthis, and we will continue to do so,” Netanyahu said. “Our response to today’s aggression will involve multiple airstrikes.”
Defense Minister Katz: “We Will Inflict Heavier Damage”
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed the Netanyahu’s stance, warning of a harsh counteroffensive.
“Anyone who harms us will be harmed with far greater force,” Katz said in a televised statement. The remarks followed a cabinet-level emergency session convened shortly after the missile was detected over Tel Aviv.
Houthis Claim Responsibility for Airport Strike
The Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen has officially claimed responsibility for the attack, which marks one of the first direct missile strikes against Israel’s busiest airport. The group, which has increasingly expanded its regional engagement, described the strike as part of their ongoing support for Gaza.
Israeli Police: Missile Landed in Parking Area
According to Israeli Police spokesperson Yair Hetzroni, the missile fell near a car parking zone within the Ben Gurion International Airport premises.
“This is the first time the airport has been targeted by a missile,” Hetzroni said, confirming there were no casualties but emphasizing the unprecedented nature of the attack.
The strike forced immediate airspace disruptions. Flights from the United Kingdom, India, and several other countries bound for Tel Aviv were either diverted or canceled as a precaution. Aviation authorities urged airlines to closely monitor developments.
IDF Statement Confirms Interception Attempt
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) released a statement confirming that the country’s aerial defense systems attempted to intercept the missile.
“At 9:18 a.m. Tel Aviv time, Houthi militants in Yemen launched multiple projectiles toward Israel,” the statement said. “Our air defense systems responded immediately. We urge all civilians to adhere to home front defense instructions issued by central command.”
Israel’s vow to escalate retaliation comes amid heightened regional tensions, as the Houthis continue to position themselves as active players in broader Middle East conflicts. The strike on Ben Gurion International Airport signals a potential shift in the group's targeting strategy—one that could spark wider confrontations in the weeks ahead.
