The pro-Iranian rebel group hits near Ben Gurion airport, announce an offensive on airports to block air traffic. For the first time, Israel has admitted that it has been hit and doubts are emerging about the effectiveness of its defences. The Netanyahu government approves an operation to seize Gaza, at the expense of the hostages, angering their families.

Jerusalem (AsiaNews) – Yemen’s Houthi rebels have announced a military campaign targeting Israeli airports.

The pro-Iranian movement, which has been active in the Middle East with attacks on the Jewish State and Western shipping in the Red Sea after the start of the war in Gaza, wants to impose a "complete" air blockade on the "enemy".

Such words raise fears of a further escalation in a Middle East region already shaken by conflicts and tensions.

Yesterday’s ballistic rocket launch by the group hit Ben Gurion international airport, near Tel Aviv, caused minor damages.

Israeli missile defence systems had intercepted most previous attacks from Yemen, although a drone managed to reach Tel Aviv last year.

The device that exploded yesterday was the only one in a series launched by Houthi rebels since March not to be intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome defence system.

Last night, the Houthis’ Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center, a body set up in 2024 to maintain contact between the group’s military wing and shipping operators, issued a warning that Israeli airports were top targets.

The statement was in an annexe to an email sent to the International Air Transport Association, the global airlines body, and the United Nations' International Civil Aviation Organization.

Houthi forces called "upon all international airlines to take this announcement into serious consideration ... and to cancel all their flights to the airports of the criminal Israeli enemy, in order to safeguard the safety of their aircraft and passengers," the email said.

For the first time, Israel has admitted that its defence systems failed to intercept a ballistic missile from Yemen, which paralysed air traffic.

The Jewish state relies on two of the most advanced defence systems in the world – Arrow (Hetz) and the US THAAD – but both failed to stop the missile this time.

The incident raises major questions about Israel's much-vaunted defence capabilities, long considered the most formidable in the region.

Interviewed by Turkey’s Anadolu Agency, Kuwaiti military analyst Faisal Al-Hajri said Israel’s radar-based defences were built primarily to counter aircraft, and so struggle to detect high-speed missiles. This can result in weak or no radar returns.

“The strike on Ben Gurion caused limited destruction due to the missile's small warhead and imprecise navigation, making its impact more psychological than military,” Al-Hajri explained.

Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said that the group targeted the port with a hypersonic ballistic missile that "successfully hit its target" in solidarity with Palestinians and in response to Israel's genocide in Gaza.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for similar attacks, but Israel's admission of the impact is an absolute novelty.

Air traffic was disrupted, with planes circling before landing, and nine airlines, including Swiss, Austrian, Australian and Indian, cancelling flights to Tel Aviv.

Meanwhile, the Israeli government has approved a plan that aims to hit Hamas, “conquering of Gaza and holding territories”, even though, as the head of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced, this would result in the loss of hostages.

Unanimously approved by ministers, the plan provides for an expanded military operation, which will be implemented after US President Donald Trump's visit to the region next week.

Gaza’s civilian population, the IDF Chief of Staff General Eyal Zamir noted, will be moved south, while Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid remains.

The announcement of a further expansion of the Gaza offensive risks endangering the lives of the hostages still held by Hamas. The fact that the Israeli cabinet seems to be pressing for a military victory has pushed hostages’ families to intensify their protest.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has slammed the cabinet and Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu, who are “choosing territories over hostages.”

“The plan approved by the cabinet deserves the name ‘Smotrich-Netanyahu Plan’ for giving up on the hostages,” the forum said in a statement.

For the Forum, the far right is using the war as an opportunity to reestablish Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip. “The government admitted this morning that it is choosing territory over hostages, and this is against the will of over 70% of the people,” its statement reads.

• yemen
• israel
• palestine
• gaza
• houthis
• rocket
• iron dome
• netanyahu
• hostages
• families