Israel targeted the Hodeida port in Yemen following a missile launch by the Iranian-aligned Houthis, which had occurred near a prominent airport in Tel Aviv. Reports depicted large fireballs erupting at the harbor, accompanied by thick smoke billowing into the atmosphere.
A video shared on social media captured the intensity of the Israeli airstrikes, showing extensive destruction and dramatic flames. The imagery projected a sense of calamity.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged a response to the Houthi attack near Ben Gurion Airport, attributing their actions to support for the Palestinians.
Most projectiles launched from Yemen were intercepted by Israeli defense systems, although a drone strike last year did manage to reach Tel Aviv. The missile in question on Sunday was intercepted after a succession of attacks commenced in March.
In a late Sunday announcement, Houthi Rebels declared they would enact a “comprehensive” aerial ban on Israel, intensifying strikes against airports as Israel increases its military operations in Gaza.
The Houthi-run Humanitarian Operations Coordination Centre, established to facilitate communication between their military forces and commercial transport, warned that Israeli airports would be targeted, highlighting Ben Gurion Airport as a primary focus.
This warning was sent to international aviation entities, including the International Air Transport Association and the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization.
The Houthi military urged all international airlines to take this announcement seriously, suggesting they cancel flights to Israeli airports to ensure the safety of both aircraft and passengers.
