Netanyahu vows retaliation against Houthis, Iran after airport attack

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on May 4 to retaliate against Houthi forces in Yemen and their ally, Iran, after a missile launched by the group struck near an Israeli international airport.

The Prime Minister's Office stated on its official account on X that "attacks by the Houthis emanate from Iran" and they will respond "at a time and place of our choosing."

Earlier in the day, Netanyahu issued another warning to the Houthis, threatening to launch a strike against the group. "We attacked in the past, we will attack in the future," he said in a video statement.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for the missile strike that hit a driveway leading to the main terminal of Ben Gurion Airport, outside Tel Aviv. Israeli and U.S.-deployed aerial defense systems attempted to intercept the missile but failed.

The attack resulted in four minor injuries and caused damage. Several international airlines canceled flights to and from Israel following the missile attack, including Air Europa, Swiss International Air Lines, Lufthansa, ITA Airways and Brussels Airlines.

The Houthis have intensified missile and drone attacks in recent weeks amid renewed U.S. airstrikes on their positions in Yemen.

The military group said on May 4 that it will continue launching missile attacks at airports in Israel, especially Ben Gurion Airport, as part of its "comprehensive air blockade" against the country, urging international airlines to cancel all their flights planned to any Israeli airport.

"We announce a comprehensive air blockade on the Israeli enemy in response to its decision to expand its aggression against Gaza," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement aired by the group's al-Masirah TV.

The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, have been targeting Israel since November 2023 in what they describe as an act of solidarity with Palestinians amid the war in Gaza. The group has said it would halt its attacks if Israel ends its military campaign and allows humanitarian aid into the enclave.

However, Israel has intensified their ground and air operations in Gaza. Israeli airstrikes killed at least 20 Palestinians on May 4, including women and children, according to local authorities.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that its troops continued "operational activity" to dismantle militant infrastructure and eliminate operatives. The Israeli Air Force struck over 100 targets across the Gaza Strip, including tunnels, underground sites and military structures.

Israel's military has also begun issuing "tens of thousands" of call-up orders for reservists to intensify its offensive in the Gaza Strip.

"This week we are issuing tens of thousands of call-up orders to our reservists to intensify and expand our operations in Gaza," Eyal Zamir, chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces said on May 4. "We are increasing pressure in order to bring our hostages home and to defeat Hamas."

He added that as part of the expanded offensive, the military would operate "in additional areas" in the enclave and destroy "all militant infrastructure."

Gaza health authorities reported on the same day that at least 2,436 people have been killed and 6,450 wounded since Israel renewed its offensive on March 18. The overall death toll since the conflict began in October 2023 now stands at 52,535, with more than 118,000 people injured.

(With input from Xinhua)