Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility on Sunday for launching two ballistic missiles at Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s primary international gateway near Tel Aviv.
The Israeli military confirmed intercepting one of the missiles, which it said had been launched from Yemen.
According to Yahya Saree, the group’s spokesperson, the strike was intended as retaliation for Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
He pledged that the attacks would continue until the siege on Gaza ends, as fighting between Israel and Hamas enters its 19th month.
The Israeli army had earlier issued a statement via Telegram noting that air raid sirens were heard across multiple locations and that their defense systems had neutralized a threat from the Arabian Peninsula.
Since the Gaza war erupted in October 2023 after a surprise Hamas offensive, the Houthis have stepped up their involvement by firing weapons toward Israel and disrupting commercial shipping in the Red Sea, citing solidarity with Palestinians.
In retaliation for repeated missile assaults, Israel bombed the Houthi-controlled ports of Hodeida and Salif last Friday.
The Israeli government warned that more direct actions against Houthi leadership could follow if the attacks persisted.
The Houthis responded through their Saba news outlet, stating that any further aggression would invite a “painful response.”
Despite U.S. involvement in retaliatory strikes against the Houthis for maritime threats, a limited ceasefire was brokered in early May between the United States and the group.
Notably, that agreement excluded any provisions related to Israel.