Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced on Sunday that they had fired a pair of ballistic missiles toward Israel’s busiest air hub, Ben Gurion International Airport.
This declaration followed confirmation from the Israeli military that it had intercepted one missile that originated from Yemen.
Yahya Saree, the military spokesperson for the Iran-aligned group, said the attack was a response to Israel’s continued blockade of Gaza.
He emphasised that such operations would persist until the restrictions on Gaza were lifted.
Earlier in the day, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) reported on Telegram that an incoming missile from Yemen was successfully intercepted after air raid sirens were activated in several regions across the country.
Since the eruption of the Gaza war in October 2023, sparked by a Hamas-led assault on Israel, the Houthis have consistently targeted Israeli territory and maritime interests using drones and missiles.
Just days before this latest incident, Israel carried out airstrikes on the Red Sea ports of Hodeida and Salif, areas under Houthi control.
The raids followed three successive days of missile launches by the Houthis. In response, Israel issued a stern warning, threatening to strike Houthi leaders if the attacks continued.
The Houthi government condemned Israel’s air raids, promising a harsh retaliation, as reported by their official news agency, Saba.
Throughout the Gaza conflict, the Houthis, who govern large parts of Yemen, have targeted Israeli interests and Red Sea trade routes in what they describe as support for the Palestinian cause.
Their maritime attacks have also drawn retaliatory strikes from the United States.
In early May, Washington negotiated a limited ceasefire with the Houthis, though it excluded any arrangements involving Israel.