Yemen-based Houthis threaten to resume missile attacks on Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport

The Iranian-backed, Yemen-based Houthi terrorist militia on Monday repeated its threat to resume missile attacks on Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport – the second such threat in 24 hours against the country’s main airport.

Nasruddin Amer, a senior Houthi official, posted a photo of Ben Gurion Airport on 𝕏 with the following warning: “In the coming hours, Yemeni forces will carry out military operations against Ben Gurion and other Zionist airports."

The Houthi threats appeared to imitate IDF Arabic spokesman Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee who recently issued evacuation warnings for Houthi-held ports in Yemen. 

The Houthis had previously issued their first threat shortly after Israel resumed its military operation against Hamas forces in the Gaza Strip. 

“We will strike Ben Gurion Airport in the coming hours. Evacuate immediately.”

Speaking to the Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese news outlet Al Mayadeen, the senior Houthi official warned international airlines to avoid Ben Gurion airport and Israeli airspace. 

“They should change course and take seriously the warnings of the Yemeni military, which is determined to establish a no-fly zone not only over Ben Gurion Airport but over all of Israeli airspace,” Amer threatened. 

Amer justified the Houthi threat against Israel, which he claimed was a response to “the recent escalation against the Gaza Strip and attacks on Yemen.” He also vowed to keep what he described as a naval blockade and closure of the Israeli Eilat Port until Israel ends its military operations in Gaza and lifts its blockade over the Hamas-controlled enclave. Despite the ongoing Houthi threats, Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, the Eilat Port and other critical Israeli transport hubs have remained fully operational. 

The Houthis openly call for Israel’s destruction and have launched hundreds of missiles and drones at the Jewish state since the Hamas-led atrocities on Oct. 7, 2023.

Israel’s multilayered aerial defense systems have successfully intercepted the vast majority of the incoming Houthi projectiles. However, in early May, a Houthi missile succeeded in evading Israel’s usually robust aerial defense system and landed close the main entrance of Ben Gurion Airport. While no person was killed and the missile caused minimal damage, it raised concerns that a future missile could potentially hit Ben Gurion’s primary terminal. 

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) responded swiftly by bombing the Houthi controlled Sanaa Airport – Yemen’s main air gateway – as well as Red Sea ports under Houthi control. These sites play a critical role in transferring arms from the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Houthi militia.

While Israel's Ben Gurion airport has remained fully operational, many international airlines consequently cancelled their flights to and from Israel following the Houthi missile attack close to the airport. 

Around 20 international airlines recently demanded legal reforms and passenger compensation as a precondition for resuming flights to the Jewish state. However, the Israeli government has so far been reluctant to address the issue of cancelled flights due to security concerns amid the war. 

Following the severe blows that the Israeli military has inflicted on Hezbollah and Hamas, the Houthis have emerged as the leading Iranian-backed terrorist proxy that is still actively engaged in combat against Israel.

Israeli military and political leaders are increasingly debating how to address the Houthi missile threat. Some senior Israeli officials advocate bigger and more sustained military attacks. However, others, argue that it would be more effective to address the source of it all – the ayatollah patron in Tehran.