Daijiworld Media Network- Aden
Aden, Jul 2: In a dramatic escalation of cross-regional hostilities, Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi group has claimed responsibility for launching a hypersonic ballistic missile targeting Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv on Tuesday.
In a televised address aired on the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, military spokesperson Yahya Sarea announced the group had carried out a "special military operation" using a Palestine-2 hypersonic missile, stating it successfully disrupted airport operations and triggered mass panic across Israel's central region.
According to the Houthis, the strike "forced millions of settlers into shelters" and significantly hampered air traffic at Ben Gurion Airport. The group also claimed to have launched unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks targeting three unspecified "sensitive sites" in Eilat, Tel Aviv, and Ashkelon.
However, Israeli military sources offered a different version of events. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed a missile had been launched toward the country from Yemen but said air defence systems intercepted it before impact. No damage or casualties were reported. Air raid sirens reportedly blared in multiple regions, including central and southern Israel, as a precautionary measure.
Reacting to the attack, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed a strong retaliatory response, stating, “Any aggression against Israeli citizens will be met with precise and decisive action, wherever the threat originates.”
Since November 2023, the Houthis have carried out numerous missile and drone attacks against Israeli targets, citing solidarity with the Palestinian cause amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. The group, which controls vast areas of northern Yemen, has emerged as a major regional actor aligned militarily with Palestinian factions.
Israel, in turn, has carried out multiple retaliatory airstrikes in Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen, targeting missile launch sites, military depots, and energy infrastructure. These counterattacks have reportedly resulted in casualties and significant material damage, according to local sources in Yemen.
As tensions continue to rise, observers warn that the escalating tit-for-tat between Tel Aviv and Sanaa could draw in broader regional players and open new fronts in an already volatile Middle East.