Did Yemen's Houthis Launch a New Attack on Israel?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The Houthis claimed responsibility for a missile attack on Israel.
- Ben Gurion Airport was the target of this military operation.
- Israeli defense systems intercepted the missile.
- Air raid sirens were activated across 660 locations in Israel.
- The Houthi group has vowed to continue their actions until Israeli aggression ceases.
Sanaa, May 30 (NationPress) The Houthi faction of Yemen has claimed responsibility for a recent attack involving a hypersonic ballistic missile directed at central Israel, specifically targeting Ben Gurion Airport.
Military spokesperson Yahya Sarea stated, "We executed a military operation aimed at Ben Gurion Airport using a hypersonic ballistic missile," during a broadcast on the Houthi-operated al-Masirah TV.
Sarea emphasized that the group would persist in its offensive actions "until the Israeli aggression on Gaza ceases and the blockade is removed."
Additionally, he declared, "We will continue to prohibit Israeli air traffic to and from Ben Gurion Airport."
In response, the Israeli military reported intercepting a missile that was launched by Houthi forces in Yemen targeting central Israel, according to Xinhua news agency.
Israeli military officials revealed that a missile was shot towards central Israel Thursday night, with their aerial defense systems successfully intercepting it.
This incident set off air raid sirens in 660 cities and communities across central Israel, including Tel Aviv and various Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, as per alerts from the country’s Homefront Command. Sirens were also activated at Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv, where approximately 30,000 attendees were present for the State Cup football finals.
Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service confirmed that there were no reported casualties.
The military stated, "A missile launched from Yemen was intercepted," further adding that "sirens were activated in line with standard protocol."
The Houthi forces have committed to suspending attacks on US vessels yet have continued to launch missiles at Israel, citing their support for Palestinians in Gaza, where an Israeli offensive that commenced 19 months ago has reportedly resulted in over 54,000 deaths, according to health authorities in Gaza.
Israel, in turn, has conducted numerous retaliatory airstrikes in Yemen, including a strike earlier this month on the capital, Sanaa, which damaged the country’s primary international airport and resulted in several fatalities.
On Wednesday, Israeli air forces targeted the Sanaa airport in the Houthi-controlled capital, damaging the runway, facilities, and the last remaining passenger aircraft at the airport.
The Houthi group, which governs a significant portion of northern Yemen, has been targeting Israel since November 2023 to express solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.