An airport security vehicle blocks an entrance to vehicles outside Israel's Ben Gurion airport as flights are interrupted after the country activated air defences against a missile launched from Yemen. AFP
Germany's Lufthansa Group, which includes SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings, announced it would suspend flights to and from Tel Aviv until 6 May, citing the ongoing security situation.
Air India followed suit, halting services to Tel Aviv until the same date, while Spain's Air Europa cancelled Sunday's flights. Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air paused operations for 48 hours and said it would continue to assess the situation.
British Airways also grounded all flights to and from Tel Aviv until 7 May, with a spokesperson stating the airline would "continuously monitor operating conditions."
According to Israeli media reports, the missile landed within the perimeter of Ben Gurion Airport in a grove adjacent to an access road.
At least six people were lightly wounded. Sirens sounded across central Israel before the impact, prompting a temporary suspension of takeoffs and landings. The airport reopened about an hour later.
The Israeli military confirmed it had made multiple failed attempts to intercept the missile. It said an investigation was underway into the failure of its aerial defence systems, including the long-range Arrow and the US-supplied THAAD system.
"An impact was identified in the area of Ben Gurion Airport," a military statement said.
A video circulated on social media on Sunday appeared to show the missile hitting the airport.
Israel's defence minister, Israel Katz, vowed retaliation: "Anyone who hits us, we will hit them seven times stronger."
The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, have launched a series of long-range missile and drone attacks on Israel since the start of its war on Gaza in late 2023, citing solidarity with the Palestinian people.
The group also targeted Israeli-linked shipping in the Red Sea, disrupting traffic through the Suez Canal, a vital route for around 12 percent of global maritime trade.
Attacks were briefly halted during a two-month ceasefire brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the US, but resumed after Israel imposed a full blockade on Gaza on 2 March.
The escalation deepened when Israel launched surprise airstrikes on 18 March, unilaterally ending the ceasefire and resuming its "live-streamed genocide" against Palestinians in Gaza.
The Houthis have said their operations will continue as long as Israel's war on Gaza persists. Since Friday, the group has reportedly fired four missiles and two drones toward Israel.
In response, the US has stepped up its campaign against Houthi forces, saying it had struck more than 1,000 targets in Yemen since mid-March. The UK also confirmed it had joined a new round of strikes on drone-making facilities last week.
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