Yemen Missile Disrupts Israeli Flights Just Before Critical Gaza War Vote

A missile launched by Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen briefly disrupted operations at Ben-Gurion International Airport in Israel on Sunday. The missile impacted near an access road, causing widespread panic among passengers. This incident unfolded just hours before Israeli Cabinet ministers were scheduled to vote on the potential escalation of military operations in Gaza.

According to Israel’s military, this marked the first missile strike on the airport since the onset of the current conflict. Initial investigations suggested a technical failure with the interceptor system as the primary cause of the incident. Israel’s army called up tens of thousands of reserves to prepare for potential military actions.

The Houthis have been targeting Israel throughout the ongoing war, expressing solidarity with the Palestinians. Israel’s paramedic service reported that four individuals suffered minor injuries during the attack. In response, several international airlines canceled or delayed flights, exacerbating an already tenuous travel situation due to ongoing hostilities with Hamas and Hezbollah.

Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree announced that the group had fired a hypersonic ballistic missile at the airport. Since the war began on October 7, 2023, Houthi missiles have been periodically intercepted, yet some have succeeded in breaching Israel’s defenses.

In retaliation, Israel has struck back against the rebels in Yemen, with support from the U.S. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized U.S. backing for Israeli military operations against the Houthis, stating, “It’s not just bang, bang and we’re done, but there will be bangs.” He highlighted that Israel’s response would target both the Houthis and their Iranian backers at a time of its choosing.

The Israeli security Cabinet convened to discuss plans to expand military efforts in Gaza, with a commitment to destroy both above-ground and subterranean infrastructure. Far-right Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for a substantial escalation, advocating for strikes on essential resources in Gaza.

An earlier ceasefire with Hamas had allowed humanitarian aid and the release of some hostages, but tensions flared again in March. The current military actions have led to significant casualties in Gaza, with reports indicating more than 52,000 fatalities, including many women and children, as stated by Palestinian health officials.

In humanitarian developments, Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela reported an attempt to facilitate aid delivery through a vessel allegedly attacked by drones, an action the activists attributed to Israel. The ship remains anchored in international waters while Israel’s military has declined to comment on the incident.

Recent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza resulted in the deaths of at least seven Palestinians, including young children, escalating the violence further. The casualties included soldiers, raising the total military deaths since the resumption of conflict to six.

The conflict began when Hamas launched attacks resulting in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of around 250 hostages. Currently, it’s believed that 59 captives are still held in Gaza, with the fate of roughly 35 remaining unknown.

As the situation continues to evolve, over 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced multiple times due to ongoing hostilities. This grim statistic underscores the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis as fighting ensues.

Reporting from Tel Aviv, additional contributions came from correspondents in Israel, Cairo, and Malta.