A Houthi missile strike near Israel’s main airport forced major airlines to suspend flights. Operations resumed quickly, but tensions rose as Houthis warned the airport is unsafe and Israel vowed retaliation.
A missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels landed near Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday, prompting major U.S. and European carriers to cancel flights for the coming days. The missile hit a road near the airport, triggering panic among travelers and halting operations briefly. “The airport was up and running less than 30 minutes after the missile hit,” said Udi Bar Oz, head of Ben Gurion Airport.
Delta, United, Lufthansa Group, Air France, ITA, and Air India suspended services, leaving many stranded. “I’m afraid it’s going to be very difficult to go back to France… so no connection is possible,” said Michael Sceemes, 56.
El Al, which had gained dominance during earlier conflict, said it would operate rescue flights from Larnaca and Athens. Houthis claimed responsibility, declaring the airport “no longer safe for air travel.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed retaliation, stating, “We attacked in the past, we will attack in the future… There will be more blows.”