Missile Strike Near Israel's Ben Gurion Airport: What You Need to Know

Missile Attack Near Major Airport

Tel Aviv: A ballistic missile fired by Houthi rebels from Yemen struck close to Ben Gurion Airport in Israel on Sunday, leading to a temporary suspension of all flight operations as the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) attempted to intercept the missile.

The Israel Airport Authority later announced that airspace had been reopened after the brief halt in operations.

The missile landed in a grove near an access road within the airport's boundaries, as reported by the Times of Israel.

Fortunately, the missile did not hit any terminal facilities directly.

The IDF confirmed that an impact was detected near Ben Gurion Airport and acknowledged that several interception attempts were unsuccessful.

The Israeli Air Force is currently investigating the reasons behind these failed interceptions.

A comprehensive inquiry has been initiated to understand the breach of Israel's air defense and the missile's landing site, which is near a highly sensitive area.

Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel's emergency service, reported that eight individuals sustained injuries during the incident.

A man in his 50s suffered light to moderate injuries to his limbs, while two women aged 54 and 38 were reported to be in stable condition after experiencing shock from the blast.

A 64-year-old man was lightly injured by debris, and two other women, aged 22 and 34, were hurt while seeking shelter.

Additionally, two individuals were treated for acute anxiety, and all injured parties were taken to hospitals in central Israel.

In response to the missile strike, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning, stating, "Whoever harms us, we will strike them sevenfold."

Despite a series of Houthi attacks, Israel has not yet retaliated against Yemen, as the United States leads a broader military initiative against the Iran-backed group.

Houthi leaders celebrated the missile strike as proof of their long-range capabilities.

Senior Houthi official Mohammed al-Bukhaiti told Al-Araby TV that there are "no red lines" in their conflict with Israel, asserting their ability to target sensitive locations within the country.

Furthermore, Houthi media chief Nasser al-Din Omar cautioned international airlines against operating flights to or from Israel, claiming such actions could endanger aircraft safety.