Netanyahu vows decisive response after Houthi attack on Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the escalation of actions against the Yemeni Houthi rebels following their attack on Ben Gurion Airport. Israel will join the US operation, but details remain confidential.
What do you need to know?
- Attack on Ben Gurion Airport: Yemeni rebels launched a ballistic missile that struck near Ben Gurion Airport in Israel.
- Israeli response: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced increased attacks on the Houthis, stressing that these actions will not be isolated incidents.
- Cooperation with the USA: Israel will participate in American operations against the Houthis, which have been intensified since late 2023.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that Israel will step up its attacks on the Yemeni Houthi rebels. This decision comes in response to Sunday's missile attack on Ben Gurion Airport, which resulted in minor injuries to several individuals and temporarily halted air traffic.
Netanyahu emphasised that these actions will not be singular occurrences, and Israel will join the operations conducted by the USA.
Why are the Houthis attacking Israel?
The Houthis, supported by Iran, have been regularly attacking Israel with rockets and drones since the outbreak of the war in the Gaza Strip. Sunday's attack on Ben Gurion Airport was the first successful strike on this facility.
The rebels control large areas of Yemen and since autumn 2023, they have carried out over 100 attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, declaring support for Hamas in its fight against Israel.
What are the US actions against the Houthis?
Since late 2023, the United States has led a coalition aimed at defending the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea region. In mid-March 2025, President Donald Trump announced a new offensive against the Houthis, intensifying airstrikes.
Since then, the USA has attacked over 1,000 targets in Yemen, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of fighters. The United Kingdom joined this campaign by the end of April.
