Israel’s military launched a series of airstrikes in Yemen’s Hodeidah province on Monday, striking at Houthi-controlled targets just one day after the Iranian-backed rebels fired a missile that hit Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport.
The attacks mark the latest escalation in the conflict between Israel and the Houthi group, who have increasingly targeted Israeli infrastructure in recent months.
Houthi Missile hits Israeli Airport
The missile attack on Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday morning temporarily disrupted air traffic, causing panic among passengers and marking a significant escalation in the ongoing hostilities between the Houthis and Israel. The missile struck an access road near the airport, halting flights and commuter traffic for approximately 30 minutes. Four people sustained minor injuries, and several international airlines, including Lufthansa and United Airlines, temporarily suspended their flights to Israel as a precaution.
This was the first time that a missile fired from Yemen successfully struck Israeli soil, an indication of the Houthi rebels’ growing capabilities. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it was a “warning” to international airlines, advising them to avoid Israeli airports.
“We have successfully targeted Ben Gurion Airport, and we warn all airlines that this airport is no longer safe for civilian aviation,” said Yahya Saree, the Houthi group’s military spokesman.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately vowed retaliation for the strike. “We will act before, we will act in the future. I can’t elaborate on all that. The U.S., in coordination with us, is also operating against them,” Netanyahu stated in a social media post following the attack.
Foreign Airlines extend suspension of Israel flights over Houthi Missile Attack
The ripple effect of the Houthi missile attack has been felt beyond Israel’s borders, with multiple international airlines extending their cancellations of flights to Tel Aviv. United Airlines, Lufthansa, Wizz Air, and several other carriers made the decision to suspend their flights to and from Israel for several more days following the missile strike that impacted Ben Gurion Airport. United Airlines announced it would extend its cancellations from Newark through May 11, surpassing the initial May 8 deadline. The Lufthansa Group, including SWISS, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines, also extended their suspensions through May 11. Air France followed suit, extending its flight cancellations through May 13, while low-cost carrier Wizz Air halted its operations until May 8.
The move comes after a missile fired from Yemen struck the airport, injuring several people and causing significant disruption. Many foreign airlines had only recently resumed their services to Israel after halting flights due to the ongoing conflict since October 2023. With airlines like Iberia, Ryanair, and British Airways now suspending flights again, the impact on global travel to Israel is substantial.
In response to the crisis, Israeli carriers have begun efforts to alleviate the situation for stranded travelers. El Al, Israel’s flagship airline, introduced price caps on one-way tickets from several key locations, including New York, London, and Paris. This move is aimed at assisting Israelis trying to return home amid the flight disruptions. Despite the airline’s efforts, however, the high demand for available seats has left many travelers stranded, as the number of available flights remains limited.
Israel’s Retaliatory airstrikes in Yemen
In response to the missile attack, Israel’s military launched airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen’s Red Sea port city of Hodeidah. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that over 20 fighter jets participated in the operation, targeting critical infrastructure, including the port of Hodeidah and a cement factory in the Bajil district. The factory, according to the IDF, has been used by the Houthis to support military operations, including the construction of tunnels.
“The seaport in Hodeidah is used for the transfer of Iranian weapons, equipment for military purposes, and other terror-related needs,” the IDF said in a statement.
The Houthi-run health ministry reported that at least 21 people were wounded in the strikes, which damaged both civilian and military infrastructure in the region. Houthi officials vowed to escalate their attacks in retaliation for what they called Israel’s “aggressive” actions.
Nasruddin Amer, head of the Houthi media office, declared, “The aggressive Zionist-American raids on civilian facilities will not affect our military operations against the Zionist enemy entity. We will continue to target Israeli shipping routes and will escalate our operations until Israel ends its war in Gaza.”
Broader Context: Houthis and Israel’s Escalating Conflict
The Houthis have increasingly targeted Israeli interests since the onset of the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza in October 2023. While the group initially focused on attacking ships in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, they later expanded their operations to target Israeli airports and infrastructure.
Israel’s military has responded by carrying out airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen, including the destruction of Hodeidah’s oil infrastructure and multiple other strikes throughout 2023 and 2024. The Israeli government claims that the Houthi-controlled port is used to receive military supplies from Iran, making it a critical strategic target.
The ongoing missile launches from Yemen come amid broader regional tensions involving Iran, which is widely believed to support the Houthis in their campaign against Israel. The U.S. has also conducted its own strikes against Houthi positions, particularly aimed at preventing attacks on commercial and military vessels operating in the region.
Growing concerns
The international community has expressed growing concern over the conflict’s expansion and its potential to destabilize the region further. The Houthis’ ability to target distant locations like Ben Gurion Airport highlights the increasing reach of their missile capabilities despite U.S. and Israeli efforts to neutralize their threats.
Israel’s reaction to the attack on its airport is likely to further intensify the conflict. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s statement, alongside threats of a “sevenfold” response, indicates that Israel is prepared to escalate military operations if the Houthi attacks continue.
For now, the Houthis remain defiant. In a statement released by their media office, they warned that the attack on Ben Gurion Airport was only the beginning. “We will impose a comprehensive air blockade on Israel,” they vowed, threatening further attacks on Israeli airports, especially Ben Gurion, which they consider a vital target in their campaign.
Critical Moment in Middle Eastern Diplomacy
As both Israel and the Houthis continue to exchange military strikes, the broader implications for Middle Eastern diplomacy remain unclear. The continued involvement of Iranian-backed groups like the Houthis in the conflict complicates any potential resolution, as Israel’s military responses show no sign of slowing.
Meanwhile, the United States has emphasized its coordination with Israel in the fight against Houthi aggression, though the broader geopolitical impact of this cooperation remains to be seen.
The attacks on both sides underscore the volatile nature of the conflict and the uncertain future of Yemen, Israel, and the broader Middle East.