Houthi Missile Halts Flights at Israeli Airport Amid Gaza War Escalation

A missile launched by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen struck near Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday, briefly halting flights and commuter traffic and causing panic among passengers. The missile impact, which left a crater near the airport's access road, marked the first time since the Gaza war began that a missile hit the airport grounds, with several attempts to intercept it reportedly unsuccessful. Four people were lightly wounded, and multiple international airlines, including Wizz Air, Air France, and United Airlines, canceled or postponed flights due to security concerns. Israeli authorities resumed traffic after about an hour, but the incident reignited concerns over the effectiveness of Israel's air defenses, as both the American THAAD and Israeli Arrow-3 systems reportedly failed to intercept the missile. In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed plans for military action against Houthi targets in Yemen, signaling a potential escalation. The Houthis claimed responsibility, describing the attack as retaliation for Israeli operations in Gaza and warning that Ben Gurion Airport was no longer safe for civilian flights.