Jerusalem – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised an Israel response against Yemen’s Huthi rebels and Iran. His statement followed a missile strike near Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport that injured six people. The missile left a large crater near the airport perimeter.
The attack disrupted travel. Netanyahu warned, “It will not happen in one bang, but there will be many bangs,” indicating planned retaliatory action.
Airport Disruption and Flight Suspensions
The missile impact caused major disruptions:
- Flights at Ben Gurion Airport were suspended.
- Passengers took shelter. An AFP journalist reported a “loud bang” and “reverberation.”
- Airlines including Air France, Lufthansa, and ITA Airways suspended flights to Tel Aviv.
Defence Minister Israel Katz stated, “Anyone who hits us, we will hit them seven times stronger,” reinforcing the planned Israel response.
Context: Gaza War Expansion
The airport strike happened shortly before Israel’s army confirmed a call-up of tens of thousands of reservists. This is to expand the 19-month war in Gaza against Hamas.
Army chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said operations in Gaza would intensify and expand. The goal is destroying Hamas infrastructure. The Huthi rebels claimed the airport attack supported Palestinians in Gaza. The promised Israel response occurs amid these broader regional tensions.
By Abiodun Labi
