A ballistic missile launched from Yemen on Sunday landed near Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, authorities said, an attack that damaged road structures and briefly halted air traffic.
The attack prompted the country’s busiest airport to briefly suspend flights. Trains to and from the airport were also halted and police asked the public to refrain from arriving in the area.
Several people at the airport posted videos that showed a plume of black smoke visible from a passenger terminal. Several videos showed smoke behind parked aircraft and airport buildings.
Videos of the site also showed that the missile hit a connecting road inside the perimeter of the airport, with some debris scattered on adjacent roads.
Israel’s military said the missile landed in the airport’s vicinity after “several attempts" at intercepting it failed, adding that “the results of the interception are under review." Airport authorities said the missile had landed by a road near a Terminal 3 parking lot.
The Israeli ambulance service said there were no reports of serious injuries. A man and a woman with light injuries were being taken to hospital and two people were being treated at the scene for the effects of panic.
Sunday’s strike marks the third consecutive day of missile launches from Yemen toward Israel, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The Iran-backed Houthi rebel group in Yemen has repeatedly launched ballistic missiles at Israel, but this appears to be the first time one has landed near the country’s main international airport, a major breach of security at a tightly protected site.
The Houthis have not claimed responsibility for this attack so far.
“We will attack whoever attacks us sevenfold," Israel Katz, the defense minister, said in a statement.
Israel has carried out several strikes against the Houthis in Yemen, including the targeting of a power plant and maritime ports in January.
Source: ANI