Yemen fires ballistic missiles at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport and Jerusalem Power Plant: Know latest updates

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

In a significant escalation of regional tensions, Yemen’s armed forces have launched missile attacks targeting Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv and a power plant in southern Jerusalem.

The operations were announced by Yemeni military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree on December 31, 2024.

Details of the Attacks

According to General Saree, the first operation involved a “Palestine 2” hypersonic ballistic missile aimed at Ben Gurion Airport.

The second operation targeted a power plant in southern Jerusalem with another ballistic missile.

These strikes were conducted simultaneously with an operation against the American aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, involving a large number of drones and guided missiles.

Saree claimed that this naval operation successfully neutralized a planned American air attack against Yemen.

Israeli and U.S. Responses

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported intercepting the missile aimed at Israeli territory, preventing significant damage. However, the interception caused debris to fall in open areas near Tel Aviv, leading to minor injuries as civilians sought shelter.

In response to the attacks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning to Yemen’s Houthi rebels, stating that Israel is “just getting started” and promising severe consequences for continued aggression.

The United States also reacted to the escalation. U.S. Central Command reported conducting multiple strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, including command posts, weapons depots, and missile production facilities. These actions aim to curb Houthi attacks on U.S. military and merchant vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, as well as to protect U.S. forces in the region.

International Concerns

The recent hostilities have drawn international concern. During a United Nations meeting, Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon warned Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militants to cease missile attacks on Israel or risk suffering the same fate as Hamas and Hezbollah. The U.N.’s Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Khaled Khiari, expressed grave concern about the escalation in violence, calling on all parties to respect international and humanitarian law to prevent further regional instability.

Humanitarian Impact

The conflict has had significant humanitarian repercussions. Israeli airstrikes on Yemen have targeted critical infrastructure, including Sanaa International Airport and power plants, leading to civilian casualties and disruptions. Notably, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus narrowly escaped harm during an Israeli airstrike on Sanaa airport, where he was present to negotiate the release of detained staff and discuss the health and humanitarian crisis.

Ongoing Conflict

Yemen’s Ansarallah movement, commonly known as the Houthis, has stated that it will continue air attacks on Israel until the blockade on the Gaza Strip is lifted and military actions against Palestinians cease. Since November 2023, the group has launched multiple drones and missiles toward Israel in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

These actions have prompted Israeli retaliatory strikes, further intensifying the conflict and raising concerns about broader regional implications.

The situation remains highly volatile, with the potential for further escalation if diplomatic solutions are not pursued.

The international community continues to monitor developments closely, urging restraint and dialogue to prevent a broader regional conflict.