Israel: Huthi Rocket in Tel Aviv Airport
Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Target Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport; Retaliation Threatened
Table of Contents
- Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Target Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport; Retaliation Threatened
- YemenS Houthi Attacks on Israel: A Q&A
- What happened?
- Where did the attacks take place?
- What was the impact of the attacks?
- Who is responsible for these attacks?
- What is Israel’s response?
- What is the Houthi militia?
- Why are the Houthis attacking Israel?
- How does this relate to the conflict in Gaza?
- What is the international response?
- What is the current situation of air travel?
- What is the “axis of resistance”?
- Key Players and Their Stated Goals
TEL AVIV, Israel – For the third consecutive day, Yemen’s Houthi militia launched rocket attacks targeting Israel, with one impacting the vicinity of Ben Gurion International Airport, according to the Israeli military. Israel has vowed a strong response.
Rocket fire Disrupts Air Traffic
The Israeli army reported that the rocket fire from Yemen struck near Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday morning. Journalists on the ground reported multiple explosions at the airport and in Jerusalem. Police bomb disposal units confirmed the presence of “ammunition splitter” debris in the airport area.
Air raid sirens sounded across several Israeli regions as air defense systems attempted to intercept the incoming rockets. Emergency services reported that some individuals sustained injuries.Social media videos depicted scenes of panic. Air traffic was temporarily suspended but has since resumed, according to airport authorities.
Escalating Tensions
The Israeli military had previously intercepted rockets fired from Yemen on friday and Saturday. The Houthi militia, backed by Iran, has claimed responsibility for these attacks.
Defense Minister israel Katz issued a stern warning, stating, ”Anyone who attacks us will strike back seven times.” This statement, seemingly referencing biblical scripture, signals a potential escalation. While the israeli army had recently refrained from attacking targets in Yemen, this pause reportedly occurred in coordination with the United States, which has been conducting airstrikes against Houthi militia targets for nearly two months.
The Houthi Threat
The Houthi militia, with support from Iran, controls notable portions of Yemen. They are part of an “axis of resistance” against Israel and the U.S., along with Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, according to Iranian state media. The stated goal of this axis is the elimination of Israel.
Attacks in Solidarity with Palestinians
Since the onset of the war in the Gaza Strip, the Houthis have repeatedly launched drone and rocket attacks against ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, as well as targets within Israel. The group claims these attacks are “out of solidarity with the Palestinians” in Gaza.
The current conflict in Gaza was triggered by a major Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Following a two-month ceasefire in Gaza that ended in January, the Houthis had temporarily ceased their attacks on Israel. though, in response to renewed Israeli operations against Hamas targets in Gaza, the Yemeni militia announced a resumption of attacks.
International Response
The United States and Great Britain have conducted multiple airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen since early 2024 in an effort to halt attacks on Red Sea shipping. On March 15, the U.S. military initiated a new air offensive targeting the rebels.
YemenS Houthi Attacks on Israel: A Q&A
What happened?
On Sunday morning, Yemen’s Houthi militia launched rocket attacks targeting Israel, with one impacting near Ben gurion international Airport, according to the Israeli military. This marks the third consecutive day of such attacks.
Where did the attacks take place?
The primary target was in the vicinity of Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv. Explosions were also reported in Jerusalem.
What was the impact of the attacks?
- Multiple explosions were reported at the airport and in Jerusalem.
- “ammunition splitter” debris was found in the airport area.
- Air raid sirens sounded throughout several Israeli regions.
- Some individuals sustained injuries.
- Air traffic was temporarily suspended but has since resumed.
Who is responsible for these attacks?
The Houthi militia, backed by Iran, has claimed obligation for the attacks.
What is Israel’s response?
Israel has vowed a strong response to the attacks. Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning, stating, “Anyone who attacks us will strike back seven times.”
What is the Houthi militia?
The Houthi militia is a group based in Yemen that controls notable portions of the country. They are part of an “axis of resistance” against Israel and the U.S., along with Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, according to Iranian state media. Their stated goal is the elimination of Israel.
Why are the Houthis attacking Israel?
The Houthis claim their attacks are “out of solidarity with the Palestinians” in Gaza. They have been launching drone and rocket attacks against targets in Israel as the beginning of the conflict in Gaza.
How does this relate to the conflict in Gaza?
The attacks are linked to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which was triggered by the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The Houthis temporarily ceased attacks after a two-month ceasefire in Gaza that ended in January, but resumed attacks in response to renewed Israeli operations against Hamas targets in Gaza.
What is the international response?
The United States and Great Britain have conducted multiple airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen in an effort to halt attacks on Red sea shipping. The U.S.military initiated a new air offensive targeting the rebels on March 15.
What is the current situation of air travel?
Air traffic was temporarily suspended at Ben Gurion International Airport but has since resumed.
What is the “axis of resistance”?
The “axis of resistance” is a term used by Iranian state media to describe a coalition of groups, including the Houthi militia, Hezbollah, and Hamas, that are opposed to Israel and the U.S.
Key Players and Their Stated Goals
here’s a summary of the key players involved and their stated goals, according to the provided article:
| Group | Location/region | Stated Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Houthi militia | Yemen | Attacks on Israel “out of solidarity with Palestinians” |
| Iran (backing Houthis) | Iran | Part of an “axis of resistance” against Israel and the U.S. |
| Israel | Israel | Retaliation for attacks |
| Axis of Resistance (Houthi, Hamas, Hezbollah) | Multiple including Gaza, Yemen and Lebanon | Elimination of Israel |