2025-05-04T18:52:00Z

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BEN-GURION INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Israel (AP) — In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict in the region, a missile launched by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen struck near Ben-Gurion International Airport on Sunday, causing significant disruption to flights and commuter traffic. The missile impacted close to an access road, triggering panic among passengers and airport staff.

This alarming incident occurred just hours before Israeli Cabinet ministers were scheduled to convene to deliberate on plans to intensify military operations in the Gaza Strip. According to Israel’s Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the Israeli army is mobilizing tens of thousands of reserve troops in response to the escalating military situation.

For the first time since the onset of the Gaza conflict, which erupted on October 7, 2023, a missile has directly struck the grounds of Israel's main international airport. Initial assessments by the Israeli military suggest that the incident may have been caused by a malfunction in the missile interception system.

The Houthi rebels, who have consistently targeted Israel throughout the conflict in solidarity with the Palestinian cause, announced their involvement in the attack. Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree declared in a video message that a hypersonic ballistic missile had been successfully launched towards the airport.

In the aftermath of the missile strike, Israel’s paramedic service, Magen David Adom, reported that four individuals sustained minor injuries due to the panic and chaos that ensued. The incident prompted several international airlines to cancel or postpone flights, adding to the wave of disruptions that have plagued air travel to Israel since the outbreak of violence.

Israel has retaliated against the Houthis, conducting airstrikes in Yemen, while its primary ally, the United States, has also targeted Houthi positions in a campaign that began in March. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the importance of U.S. military support in these operations, stating, "It’s not just a quick fix; there will be significant military actions ahead." He further affirmed that Israel would respond to the Houthis and their Iranian backers at a time of its choosing.

On the same day, Netanyahu convened the security Cabinet to vote on expanding military operations in Gaza. He indicated that Israel would target additional areas and dismantle the infrastructure utilized by Hamas both above and below ground. Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir went further, calling for a robust escalation of the conflict, demanding that Israel strike Gaza's food and electricity supplies.

The regional situation remains dire. An eight-week ceasefire with Hamas had briefly allowed for increased aid to Gaza and the release of some Israeli hostages, but this truce collapsed in March when Israel resumed its airstrikes. Since then, Israel has captured significant territories within the coastal enclave, leading to heavy casualties among the Palestinian population. Local health officials report that more than 52,000 individuals have died in Gaza as a result of the conflict, with many of those casualties being women and children, a point of contention as Palestinian health data often does not differentiate between combatants and civilians.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has worsened significantly, with shortages of essential supplies and widespread hunger leading to looting and chaos amid a population of 2.3 million. Israel's recent measures to halt goods entering Gaza are aimed at pressuring Hamas to negotiate under Israeli terms for a new ceasefire.

In a related incident, Malta's Prime Minister Robert Abela has offered to send a marine surveyor to investigate damage to a vessel purportedly carrying humanitarian aid and organized by pro-Palestinian activists. These activists allege that their ship was attacked by Israeli drones while it remained in international waters, a claim that has yet to be addressed by the Israeli military.

Recent Israeli airstrikes have caused further casualties, with reports indicating that seven Palestinians, including young children, were killed in southern and central Gaza. This latest wave of violence has compounded the suffering, as the military confirmed that two Israeli soldiers also lost their lives in combat, marking a total of six Israeli fatalities since the resumption of fighting in March. The war ignited when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of around 250 hostages. Current estimates suggest that 59 hostages remain in Gaza, of whom around 35 are believed to be deceased.

The conflict has caused massive displacement, with over 90% of Gaza’s residents having been forced from their homes, often multiple times. As the situation deteriorates, the international community watches closely, awaiting the next developments in this complex and tragic conflict.