Sanaa, May 10 (UNI) Yemen's Houthi movement said on Friday it had launched a "hypersonic ballistic missile" targeting Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, hours after the Israeli military reported intercepting a missile fired from Yemen.
The strike, which occurred Friday afternoon, also included a coordinated drone attack on a military facility in Tel Aviv, according to a statement broadcast by the Houthis' al-Masirah television channel.
"The enemy's defense systems failed to intercept our missile," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said, claiming the attack shut down airport operations for over an hour and forced "millions" of Israelis into shelters.
Sarea said the missile strike was part of an intensifying campaign to impose an aerial blockade on Israel in retaliation for what he described as "war crimes" in Gaza. He urged international airlines to suspend flights to Israel and warned that Israeli ships in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea remained within missile range.
The Israeli military confirmed that its defense systems had been activated and intercepted a projectile over central Israel. Sirens were heard across the Tel Aviv area, sending residents scrambling for shelter. A 55-year-old woman sustained minor injuries while fleeing, emergency services said.
Since Israel resumed its military offensive in Gaza on March 18, the Houthis have launched approximately 28 ballistic missiles and dozens of drones toward Israeli territory, according to Israeli media reports.
Friday's attack came days after Israeli airstrikes targeted Houthi-held infrastructure, severely damaging the Sanaa International Airport and the Red Sea port of Hodeidah.
The escalation also follows an Oman-brokered ceasefire deal reached on Tuesday between the Houthis and the United States, aimed at halting weeks of mutual attacks.
Despite the agreement, Houthi leaders have vowed to continue targeting Israel until it ends its military campaign in Gaza and lifts the blockade on the enclave.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz condemned Friday's attack, accusing Iran of orchestrating it. "The Houthis continue to launch Iranian missiles at Israel. As we promised, we will respond forcefully in Yemen and wherever necessary," he said in a statement.
The Houthi group, which controls most of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, has portrayed the ceasefire deal with the United States as a political achievement.
Nasr al-Din Amir, head of the Houthi media authority, said the agreement had "neutralized" U.S. military pressure. "Israel now stands exposed on the front line, within range of our missiles," he said in an interview with al-Masirah.
No U.S. airstrikes on Houthi positions in northern Yemen have been reported since the deal took effect on Tuesday.
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