Day after Israel Hammers Sana’a, Yemen Launches Hypersonic Missile and Drones at Tel Aviv

The Yemeni Armed Forces launched coordinated strikes on Israeli targets on Friday, including a hypersonic missile attack on Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv and drone operations in Jaffa and the Arabian Sea, intensifying regional tensions.

In a televised statement, Houthi spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Sare’e confirmed the use of a Palestine-2 hypersonic missile to strike Ben Gurion Airport. The attack reportedly disrupted air traffic, caused injuries, and highlighted the missile's ability to bypass Israeli defense systems. A simultaneous drone strike hit a military target in Jaffa, while another drone targeted the Santa Ursula vessel in the Arabian Sea for allegedly breaching a blockade on Yemeni ports.

The Yemeni Armed Forces emphasized that these operations align with their ongoing support for Gaza amidst Israel's military campaign, which has caused significant casualties in Palestinian territories. Yemeni officials have vowed to continue such actions until Israeli aggression in Gaza ceases and the blockade is lifted.

Israeli authorities reported that sirens blared across central Israel, including Tel Aviv, as residents rushed to shelters. At least 18 people sustained injuries during the panic, and air traffic was temporarily halted at Ben Gurion Airport.

Former Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, attributing the escalation to dismantling Israel's missile defense strategy. Meanwhile, the United Nations condemned the escalating conflict, citing concerns over regional stability.

The attacks followed Israeli airstrikes on Sana’a International Airport and Hodeidah, which targeted civilian infrastructure and claimed several lives. Red Sea ports and power stations were also targeted in these attacks, which claimed six lives. These strikes have drawn criticism from international bodies, including the United Nations, which described them as alarming and detrimental to humanitarian efforts in Yemen.

The World Health Organization’s head, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, was at the Yemeni airport when it was attacked, injuring a crew member and causing significant damage.

Israel, in turn, accused Yemen's Houthi forces of acting as an extension of Iranian influence and vowed to intensify military operations against them. Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that Israel is "just getting started" in its campaign to neutralize Houthi threats.