Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised to take harsh retaliation against the Houthi forces in Yemen and their ally Iran, after a missile fired by the group struck the international airport in Israel.
In an official statement, the Prime Minister's office indicated that the "Houthi attacks emanate from Iran" and that Israel "will respond to the Houthi attack on our main airport and, at a time and place of our choosing, to their Iranian terrorist masters."
Hours earlier, Netanyahu had issued another warning to the Houthis, threatening to launch an attack against the group. Several international airlines, including Air Europa, Swiss International Air Lines, Lufthansa, ITA Airways, and Brussels Airlines, canceled flights to and from Israel following the missile attack.
The Houthis have increased their missile and drone attacks recently amid renewed U.S. air offensives against their positions in Yemen.
The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, have been attacking Israel since November 2023, in solidarity with the Palestinians during the war in Gaza. The group stated in a video message that "they attacked in the past and will attack in the future" and that they will cease if Israel ends its military campaign and allows humanitarian assistance into Gaza.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for a missile attack that struck a road leading to the main terminal of Ben Gurion Airport, on the outskirts of Tel Aviv. Despite failed attempts by Israel and U.S. air defense systems to intercept the missile, it caused minor injuries to four people and material damage.
