Houthis claim missile strike on Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, pledge continued attacks

Yemen’s Houthi rebel group has claimed responsibility for launching a "hypersonic ballistic missile" at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, marking the third such attempt in 24 hours.

The missile, according to Israeli authorities, was intercepted before it could reach its target, and no injuries or damage were reported.

In a televised statement on Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, military spokesperson Yahya Sarea confirmed the strike, stating, "Our operations will continue until the Israeli aggression on Gaza stops and the blockade is lifted."

Earlier, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported air raid sirens across the country in response to a projectile launched from Yemen. The IDF later confirmed that their defense systems successfully intercepted the threat. Israel's emergency medical service, Magen David Adom, confirmed there were no casualties or damage resulting from the incident.

This latest launch follows two similar projectiles reportedly fired by the Houthis on Thursday, also targeting Ben Gurion Airport. Both were intercepted, according to Israeli media reports.

The Houthi group, aligned with Iran, has repeatedly targeted Israeli territory and ships linked to Israel since November 2023, declaring their actions a gesture of solidarity with Palestinians amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Just last week, the Houthis announced plans to escalate missile attacks on both Ben Gurion Airport and the port of Haifa, responding to what they described as the intensification of Israel's military operations in Gaza.