Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged a forceful response after a missile fired by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group struck near the main terminal of Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday, injuring six people and briefly disrupting international flights.
In a video message posted on social media, Netanyahu said, “We attacked in the past, we will attack in the future,”vowing that Israel would respond not only to the Houthis but also to Iran, which he accused of orchestrating the attack. “The attacks by the Houthis emanate from Iran,” he added, promising retaliation “at a time and place of our choosing.”
The missile, which landed beside a road near a Terminal 3 parking lot, triggered emergency sirens and prompted drivers nearby to take cover. Video footage circulating online showed a plume of black smoke rising near the airport, located on the outskirts of Tel Aviv.
According to Israeli authorities, four people were injured by the blast, while two others sustained minor injuries en route to a shelter. None were seriously hurt. Senior Israeli police commander Yair Hetzroni showed reporters the impact site, describing a crater “tens of metres wide and deep,” though noting that significant damage was avoided.
Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s busiest international gateway, was temporarily closed following the strike but has since resumed operations. However, several major international airlines, including Lufthansa, Air France, and Delta, cancelled flights scheduled for Sunday.
The Israeli Air Force is currently investigating why the missile was not intercepted, despite the country’s multilayered defence systems. Citing defence sources, Israeli media reported that both the long-range Arrow system and a US-made Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery failed to stop the projectile.
In a swift escalation of rhetoric, Houthi forces later announced plans to impose “a comprehensive aerial blockade” on Israel, threatening continued strikes on airports in response to Israeli military actions in Gaza.
Israel’s Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, echoed Netanyahu’s warning, stating, “Anyone who hits us, we will hit them seven times stronger.” Netanyahu is expected to meet with top ministers and security officials to deliberate on Israel’s next steps.
The Houthis, who have regularly launched missiles toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas, have rarely managed to breach Israeli air defences. The group has also been involved in targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea, prompting US-led airstrikes with British support in recent months.