A number of airlines, including Air India, cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv on Sunday after a missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels hit near Israel’s main international airport. The missile exploded near Ben Gurion Airport, creating a cloud of smoke and causing panic among passengers. Eight people were hospitalized, one man with moderate to mild injuries, according to Israeli authorities.
Carriers like Germany’s Lufthansa, British Airways, and Delta Air Lines too suspended operations to Tel Aviv. Lufthansa said it was suspending flights till May 6 due to the “current situation.” British Airways followed by suspending flights till May 7. Air India said that its Delhi-Tel Aviv flights will continue to remain suspended till May 6 in view of the safety of passengers as well as crew. The airline is making alternative arrangements for the passengers.
Earlier on Sunday, Israeli police temporarily shut down air traffic at Ben Gurion Airport following the missile attack. Authorities conducted final checks before operations at the airport resumed. Passengers were said to be running for cover, with one senior police officer, Yair Hetzroni, taking the media to a crater left by the missile. Hetzroni said the impact was a huge hole, tens of meters deep and wide, although no major damage was done.
The missile strike was attributed to the Houthi rebels, who are backing Palestinians in the current Gaza war. In a video message, they confirmed that they had fired a hypersonic ballistic missile at the airport. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz pledged vengeance, saying, “Whoever harms us, we will harm them sevenfold.”
