Israel’s Response to Houthi Attacks

Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that Israel will retaliate against the Yemeni Houthis and the “Iranian Terror Masters.” On social media, he mentioned that Israel would respond to the recent Houthi attack “immediately and in a location of our choosing.” He expressed that past actions against the Houthis would continue into the future.

“It’s not just one explosion; there’s a lot happening,” he remarked.

The Iranian-backed Houthis claimed responsibility for missile strikes on Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport and Israeli forces, confirming that the missile was launched from Yemen. Reports indicate that both Israeli and US defense systems failed to neutralize the missile, resulting in damage to nearby fields, and investigations are currently in progress.

Historically, most attacks from Yemen during the ongoing Gaza conflict have been thwarted by Israeli missile defenses. Sunday’s missile strike created a significant plume of smoke, inducing panic among passengers in the terminal and temporarily halting air traffic.

Due to safety concerns, several European and US airlines have canceled flights for the upcoming days. Many had only recently resumed services to Israel after a ceasefire in Gaza, which lasted from mid-January to mid-March, after lengthy flight disruptions over the past year.

This missile strike coincided with a meeting of the Israeli security cabinet that approved plans to expand military operations in Gaza. Reports have confirmed that tens of thousands of reservists have been summoned, though there’s uncertainty regarding the timing of the new operation.

The goal appears to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages and to diminish the military capabilities of extremist groups. Officials stated there would be a “ground seizure” that would serve as leverage in future negotiations.

Members of the Israeli Cabinet have been advocating for a more extensive offensive in Gaza for some time. Itamar Ben Gvir, the national security minister, expressed on Israeli Army Radio that he seeks a “strong” escalation of the conflict but withheld specific details about the new strategy.

“We need to bolster our capabilities and not stop until we achieve a complete victory,” he stated, suggesting that Israel target Gaza’s “food and electricity supply.”

Recently, Israel enforced a strict blockade on Gaza, halting all food, medical resources, fuels, and other necessities from entering the already devastated area. The Israeli military is preparing new measures to allow some aid to flow, but only under stringent conditions, as officials have accused Hamas of misappropriating humanitarian aid for military purposes—an accusation Hamas denies.

Israeli airstrikes have continued across Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least seven Palestinians, including two parents and their two children, according to local medical reports. Meanwhile, Israeli forces confirmed that two of their soldiers were killed in clashes, bringing the total number of Israeli military deaths since fighting escalated in March to a worrying tally.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza reignited when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, leading to approximately 1,200 casualties, mainly civilians, and around 250 hostage takings. Current estimates suggest that about 59 hostages remain in Gaza, with around 35 reportedly deceased.

Israeli attacks have resulted in more than 52,000 casualties in Gaza, primarily civilians. Furthermore, over 90% of the population has been displaced, leading to widespread hunger and looting due to food shortages.

The recent missile assault by the Houthis underscores the broader regional involvement in the Gaza conflict. Iranian-backed militias have targeted Israeli operations in the Red Sea since late 2023, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

In March, US President Donald Trump approved a significant military strike against the Houthis, aiming to neutralize their capabilities and prevent them from threatening commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

A Houthi military spokesperson declared that missile attacks signify that major Israeli airports “are no longer safe for travel.” The Israel Airport Authority confirmed that the missile’s landing occurred near the terminal and runway at Ben Gurion Airport. Emergency services reported treating at least six individuals for light to moderate injuries.

Due to safety protocols, the Lufthansa Group, encompassing various airlines, announced a halt to flights from Tel Aviv for Tuesday, and ITA Airways has suspended its Italian flights to Israel through Wednesday. Air France, meanwhile, canceled its Sunday flight, reallocating passengers to a Monday flight.

Ryanair also suspended flights on Sunday, but indicated operations would resume on Monday, according to the Airport Authority.