Houthis attack Israel, Hamas exults. Stop flights to Tel Aviv

Netanyahu promises new raids against Yemen. Ita Airways and Lufthansa suspend connections for security reasons

New escalation in the Middle East conflict. On Saturday, Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a series of missiles and drones against Israel, confirming their direct involvement in the front against the Jewish state. The attack, claimed by the pro-Iranian movement, reached parts of southern Israel, putting air defences on alert. Part of Ben Gurion International Airport was also hit.

Israel’s reaction

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented on the incident, announcing further action: ‘We are acting against them in coordination with the United States. We have done it in the past and we will do it again. This is not a single operation, but there will be more attacks,’ he said.

Defence Minister Israel Katz added: ‘We will strike seven times harder at anyone who strikes us’. The Israeli government thus hints that the confrontation with the Houthis will not remain isolated.

Hamas applauds the Houthis

From the Palestinian front, Hamas praised the Yemeni action. Abu Obeida, spokesman for the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, said: ‘Yemen is intensifying its attacks on the heart of Israel, overcoming the world’s most sophisticated defence systems and striking with precision’.

Flights to Tel Aviv suspended

In light of the worsening security situation in the region, several airlines have suspended flights to and from Israel. Ita Airways announced the suspension of flights to Tel Aviv until 6 May, including flights AZ809 and AZ815 on 7 May, due to the changing situation.

The Lufthansa group (including Eurowings, Swiss, Austrian and Brussels Airlines) and the Indian airline Air India have also taken similar measures, temporarily suspending flights to and from Ben Gurion airport.

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(Photo: © AndKronos)