Yemeni Forces Launch Hypersonic Missile at Ben Gurion Airport

Yemeni Houthis have announced a missile strike targeting Ben Gurion International Airport — formerly Lod Airport — in the city of Jaffa, claiming the use of a Palestine-2 hypersonic ballistic missile in what they called a “special military operation.”

According to an official statement, the missile hit its intended target, causing airport operations to halt and triggering panic among civilians. “Millions fled to shelters,” the statement claimed, referring to the impact of the strike on surrounding areas.

In addition to the airport strike, Yemen’s military said its Air Force conducted three more operations aimed at “sensitive enemy sites” in Jaffa, Ashkelon, and Eilat (Umm al-Rashrash). These actions, the statement added, are part of Yemen’s ongoing campaign to support the Palestinian population and oppose what it described as “genocide” in Gaza.

Al Masirah, a media outlet affiliated with the Houthi movement, reported that Yemen's military operations are focused on disrupting Israeli infrastructure, including the port of Eilat and commercial maritime routes in the Red Sea.

The broader campaign, it said, is part of Yemen's alignment with the “Axis of Resistance,” which includes Iran and Hezbollah. The group claims its actions have disrupted both Israeli air traffic and maritime navigation.

Meanwhile, Israel’s military confirmed intercepting three missiles on Tuesday night. Sirens were activated in multiple cities, including Jerusalem, Ben Gurion Airport, and settlements in the West Bank. No casualties or damage were reported, according to Israeli authorities.

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz warned of retaliation, stating: “Yemen will be treated like Tehran. After striking the head of the snake in Tehran, we will also strike the Houthis in Yemen. Whoever raises a hand against Israel — that hand will be cut off.”

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee reacted to the incident on X, suggesting that “maybe those B2 bombers need to visit Yemen,” referring to recent American airstrikes in Iran.

Al Masirah also reported that more than 1,500 Palestinians in Gaza have suffered blindness due to Israeli attacks, and over 50 people were killed in the enclave since Wednesday morning.

The missile strikes are the latest in a series of attacks by Yemen’s Houthi forces since the outbreak of the Israel–Gaza conflict in October 2023. The Houthis, who control most of Yemen, have been targeting Israeli sites and international shipping lanes in the Red Sea.

Since March 18, the group has reportedly launched more than 50 ballistic missiles and over a dozen drones toward Israel, though many have been intercepted or fell short.

Israel’s military has carried out retaliatory strikes against targets in Yemen. The escalation follows a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Iran in late June.