Houthis Hit Ben Gurion Airport with Missile; Israel Weighs Response; Iran Possible Target

Missile Strike at Ben Gurion Airport Raises Tensions
On Sunday, a missile launched by the Houthi rebels, who are supported by Iran, impacted near Israel’s primary international gateway, Ben Gurion Airport. This aggressive act, which occurred within the airport’s boundaries, has escalated tensions significantly, prompting Israeli authorities to consider a robust response against Yemen or potentially Iran itself.
Details of the Incident
The missile made landfall in a grove next to an access road within the airport’s perimeter, as reported by the Times of Israel. The attack set off alarms throughout central Israel and notably slipped through the defenses of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), including the advanced Arrow and U.S.-made THAAD missile defense systems.
The strike caused minor injuries to several individuals, one of whom was injured while seeking shelter. In response to the threat, operations at Ben Gurion Airport were suspended for an hour, disrupting Israel’s connection to the world as several international airlines paused flights for multiple days.
Possible Repercussions and Strategic Decisions
In light of the attack, Israeli leaders convened to strategize a potential response. Given that the Houthis are heavily backed by Iran, which includes funding and supplying ballistic missiles, Israel might direct its retaliatory measures towards Iran. This approach is underscored by statements from opposition leader Benny Gantz, a former IDF chief, who pinpointed Iran as the true instigator behind the attack, dismissing Yemen’s direct role.
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President Donald Trump has previously stated that Iran would face direct consequences for any attacks executed by the Houthis. Consistent with his stance, the U.S. has actively engaged Houthi targets in Yemen over recent weeks as missile attacks have persisted.
This incident at Ben Gurion Airport not only represents a direct threat to Israeli security but also highlights the broader regional tensions involving Iran’s support for proxy groups in the Middle East. The international community, particularly allies of Israel, will be closely monitoring the situation as it develops further.
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