Ben Gurion Missile Strike Signals Major Escalation Between Houthis and Israel

In a dramatic escalation, the Israeli military confirmed early Sunday that a ballistic missile launched from Yemen successfully struck Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv—marking a new chapter in the regional confrontation between the Yemeni resistance and the Zionist regime.

Brigadier General Yahya Saree, spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces (Houthis), announced that the attack was carried out using a new hypersonic ballistic missile, which successfully hit its target.

In a recorded statement, Saree stated:

“American and Israeli defense systems failed to intercept the missile. Over 3 million Zionists fled to shelters. Air traffic at Ben Gurion was suspended for over an hour.”

Airlines Cancel Flights, Tel Aviv Shaken

The strike sent shockwaves through Zionist society. Channel 13 reported that major international airlines—including Lufthansa, Swiss Air, Austrian Airlines, Air India, ITA Airways, and Air Europa—canceled flights scheduled for Sunday to Tel Aviv.

Israel’s national broadcaster also confirmed that Prime Minister Netanyahu will hold an emergency security meeting with defense leaders and key ministers to assess possible responses against Yemen.

Meanwhile, SABA News Agency, affiliated with the Houthis, reported that the movement’s political leader, Mahdi al-Mashat, convened a high-level military meeting to prepare for U.S. aggression and coordinate continued operations in support of Gaza.

Mashat warned:

“The Americans disregarded our warnings, wrongly trusting their defense systems. They didn’t care about the lives of the Zionists—and now they’re facing the consequences.”

“Shut Down Ben Gurion Until the Siege on Gaza Ends”

Nasr al-Din Amer, deputy head of the Houthis’ media authority, confirmed to Al Jazeera that the goal is clear:

“Our objective is to shut down Ben Gurion Airport and disrupt all air traffic until the siege on Gaza is lifted and the aggression ends.”

He added:

“The humanitarian disaster in Gaza demands escalation. That’s our response.”

Regarding the type of missile used, Amer hinted that it was a new and advanced weapon, though its name, range, and capabilities remain classified.

Largest Missile Ever Launched at Israel

Senior Houthi leader Hamid Assem revealed that Sunday’s missile was:

“The largest rocket ever launched at occupied Palestine. It’s the first of its kind—and there are more to come until the Zionist assault ends.”

He added:

“Since October 7, 2023, we’ve declared that all Zionist territory is now a closed military zone. Every inch—from the Negev to Haifa—is now a legitimate target.”

Assem emphasized that the operation was not symbolic:

“This is a real war—our war in support of Gaza, and for the honour of our people and Ummah.”

“If Israel dares strike Yemen, we will strike unexpected targets with precision. Our weapons only get stronger every time they hit us.”

A Strategic Message to the Axis of Aggression

Yemeni political analyst Yaqub al-Atwani called the strike a:

“Bold message to multiple players—especially the United States, which stepped up airstrikes on Yemen in March under threats from Trump to destroy the resistance.”

He noted that the missile embarrassed the Biden administration, not only in front of Israel, but also in front of Saudi Arabia, which Washington has been pushing to abandon peace talks with the Houthis.

Al-Atwani predicted:

“Israel will now look for every possible way to dismantle the Houthi threat—but Yemen’s unique geography makes it extremely difficult.”

Iran’s Shadow and Strategic Reach

Sociologist Milad Rassam told Al Jazeera that this operation:

“Was a signal from Iran to the U.S.—we can hurt you, and we can hurt Israel.”

He explained that the hypersonic missile, with an estimated range of over 2,000 km, is likely Iranian-supplied, and represents Tehran’s strategic use of Yemen as a pressure point in its broader conflict with Washington.

Rassam warned:

“This strike could trigger Israeli air raids on northern Yemen. But that would only expand the war and confirm that Israel is vulnerable across every front.”

With Ben Gurion Airport now a battlefield, and the Axis of Resistance more coordinated than ever, the Zionist entity faces a new reality: Tel Aviv is no longer safe—and its enemies are neither afraid nor unarmed.