Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels announced they have launched missiles at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport on Friday, marking the latest chapter amid escalated tensions following recent Israeli airstrikes on targets within Yemen.
The missile strike came just hours after Israel conducted airstrikes on Sanaa’s international airport, along with other locations controlled by the Houthis. Specifically, these airstrikes coincided with the departure of officials from the World Health Organization (WHO), highlighting the dangerous backdrop of humanitarian operations within Yemen.
According to reports from Al-Masirah TV, the Houthis asserted they not only fired missiles at the airport located near Tel Aviv but also deployed drones targeting both the airport and maritime vessels stationed in the Arabian Sea. A statement from Yemen’s civil aviation authority indicated plans to reopen the airport soon after the strike, which they claimed occurred as the U.N. aircraft was preparing for departure.
The precise details of the missile attack, including its impact and any injuries, remain unclear, as the Israeli military has not confirmed the incident. Previously, Israeli airstrikes aimed at Houthi installations, including military infrastructure, have resulted in civilian casualties with reports indicating at least six fatalities were recorded during the recent strikes on Yemeni soil.
This marked the second series of airstrikes by Israel on Yemeni territory since December 19. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed the importance of eliminating the Houthi threat, declaring, “We are determined to cut this branch of terrorism from the Iranian axis of evil,” showcasing the multifaceted nature of the conflict involving Iran's influence.
The Houthis’ attack on Tel Aviv escalates the already stratified conflict dynamics. It follows heightened hostilities since late November when Iran-backed groups, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah, had engaged Israel. The Houthis have intensified their offensive strategy with missile and drone launches toward Israeli territories, citing solidarity with Palestinians amid the Gaza war.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the increasing violence and highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by civilians, emphasizing, “Bombing transportation infrastructure poses a threat to humanitarian operations.” He noted the dire condition of Yemeni society, where approximately 80% of its population relies on international aid.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO chief, was present at Sanaa's airport when airstrikes interrupted their scheduled departure. He reported on social media about the chaos, mentioning the attack damaged airport facilities close to where he was positioned. “The air traffic control tower, the departure lounge—just a few meters from where we were—and the runway were damaged,” he stated, ensuring his and his team’s safe condition amid the bombardment.
Reports by various news agencies have indicated the Houthis are responding forcefully to the Israeli attacks. The Iranian-backed group has conducted several successful missile and drone strikes within Israel, apparently to show their coordinated military capacity and persuade Israel to reconsider its military actions against them.
For Israel, the heightened threat from Yemen is alarming especially following two airstrikes within close intervals. Targets within Yemen are claimed to be facilitating the smuggling of weapons. An Israeli military official pointed out the necessity of maintaining operations to counteract the “terrorist threat” posed by Houthi military actions.
The mention of Iranian arms raising concerns about regional impact complicates the narrative of the Houthi capability and the broader struggle for power extending from Yemen to Israeli borders. Iran's foreign ministry has branded the Israeli strikes on Sanaa as violations of international peace, urging global condemnation of escalated hostilities.
The consequences of these attacks not only affect military objectives but have overarching humanitarian ramifications, jeopardizing resources intended for millions suffering from the war-torn realities of Yemen.
Observations from the previous month indicate the Houthis have not only targeted military installations but have also attacked commercial shipping routes, thereby exacerbated the ramifications of blockade strategies suffocates Houthi-controlled ports.
While significant military actions continue between the factions, regular civilians remain caught within the fraying threads of conflict across Yemen as well as Israel. The tension signifies not merely localized affairs but ties directly to the nuances of geopolitical influence—particularly from Iran—against the backdrop of the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Widespread calls for action from humanitarian agencies underline the necessity for political solutions, urging both factions to reconsider measures taken amid heightened airstrikes and retaliatory militia actions threatening both nations' stability.
Overall, what transpired on Friday between Yemen’s Houthis and Israel paints just one part of the larger regional conflict dynamic, wherein international players are left grappling with the far-reaching consequences of these acts of aggression.
