June 16, 2025
BEN-GURION INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Israel (AP) — A missile launched by Iranian-backed terrorists in Yemen briefly halted flights and commuter traffic at Israel's main international airport on Sunday after its impact near an access road caused panic among passengers.
The attack on Ben-Gurion International Airport came hours before Israeli Cabinet ministers were set to vote on whether to intensify military operations in Gaza. The army was calling up tens of thousands of reserves, Israel's chief of staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said.
Israel's army said it was the first time a missile struck the airport grounds since the war in Gaza began. The military said initial findings indicated the likely cause was a technical issue with the interceptor.
The Houthis have targeted Israel throughout the war in solidarity with Palestinians. Israel’s paramedic service Magen David Adom said four people were lightly wounded.
Multiple international airlines canceled or postponed flights. The war with Hamas in Gaza and then Hezbollah in Lebanon had led a wave of airlines to suspend flights to Israel. Many had resumed in recent months.
Houthi terrorists have fired at Israel since the war with Hamas began on Oct. 7, 2023. The missiles have mostly been intercepted, although some have penetrated Israel's missile defense systems, causing damage.
Israel has struck back against the terrorists in Yemen, and the U.S., Israel's top ally, launched a campaign of strikes in March against them.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the U.S. was supporting Israeli operations against the Houthis. “It’s not bang, bang and we’re done, but there will be bangs,” he said. In a later statement, he added Israel would respond to the Houthis “AND, at a time and place of our choosing, to their Iranian terror masters.”
Netanyahu said the security Cabinet was meeting Sunday evening to vote on plans to expand the operation against Hamas in Gaza.
“We will operate in additional areas and we will destroy all of the infrastructure above and below ground,” Zamir said.
The military said two soldiers were killed in combat in Gaza, bringing the number killed since fighting resumed in March to six.
The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led terrorists attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and abducting about 250 hostages. Israel says 59 captives remain in Gaza, although about 35 are believed to be dead.
