Top News

Israel closed Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv on Thursday after detecting a missile launch from Yemen, according to Israeli broadcaster Channel 12.

Sirens sounded across central Israel, including in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and surrounding areas, public broadcaster KAN reported.

The Israeli military later confirmed the detection of a missile launched from the direction of Yemen.

Emergency services said several people sustained minor injuries while rushing to shelters. Multiple cases of panic were also reported.

The Houthi group in Yemen claimed responsibility, saying it had “successfully” targeted Ben Gurion Airport with a hypersonic ballistic missile, according to group spokesperson Yahya Saree.

The Houthis have targeted commercial vessels in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Gulf of Aden since November 2023, declaring solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. More than 53,000 people — most of them women and children — have been killed in the Israeli assault on Gaza, which has continued for over 19 months.

More to Read

The Houthis temporarily halted attacks after a cease-fire was declared in Gaza in January between Israel and the Palestinian resistance group Hamas. However, they resumed strikes following renewed Israeli airstrikes on Gaza in March.

Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi announced a cease-fire between the Houthis and the United States on May 6. The announcement came shortly after President Donald Trump stated that the group had agreed to stop targeting commercial shipping.

While the Houthis confirmed the cease-fire with Washington, they emphasized that it does not apply to their conflict with Israel, which they say continues in support of the Palestinian people.

May 16, 2025 01:12 AM GMT+03:00