Tel Aviv: Air traffic at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport was suspended on Tuesday evening following the launch of a missile from Yemen, according to reports by both sides as well as the media. The Israeli military confirmed the incident, saying a missile fired from Yemen was 'most likely intercepted' after sirens were triggered in multiple regions across the country.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Israeli military stated that a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted, and additional interceptors were deployed due to the possibility of shrapnel falling from the interception. Sirens were reported across central Israel, the Jerusalem area, southern West Bank settlements, and parts of southern Israel. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
The military spokesperson for Yemen's Houthi group claimed responsibility for launching two ballistic missiles, including one hypersonic, targeting Ben Gurion Airport. One of the missiles allegedly scored a direct hit, halting air traffic. In a recorded statement, Yahya Saree warned companies and entities against continuing operations through Israel's port of Haifa, which he said has been added to the group's target list in response to a recent Israeli strike on the Yemeni port city of Al-Hudaydah.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Israeli military reported missile strikes by its navy on Al-Hudaydah, marking the first use of Israeli naval forces in direct attacks on Yemeni territory. The navy targeted infrastructure for the Houthi group at the city's port following a missile attack on Monday, which Israeli media claims fell short before reaching Israel. Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV confirmed the Israeli attack but did not report any casualties or material damage.
The Israeli military issued evacuation warnings late Monday for the Yemeni ports of Ras Isa, Al-Hudaydah, and Al-Salif amid threats of airstrikes. The Houthis have increased missile and drone strikes on Israel since Israeli military actions resumed in Gaza in March after a two-month ceasefire. Since November 2023, the Houthis have also targeted commercial shipping in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Arabian Sea in support of Palestinians in Gaza, where nearly 55,000 people have been killed in an Israeli onslaught.