Israel Intercepts Missile from Yemen, Airport Operations Halted

Air Force Action Triggers Sirens Across Central Israel

Central Israel experienced air raid sirens late Friday night as the Israeli Air Force intercepted a missile launched from Yemen. The alert covered the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, the Sharon region, the Shephelah lowlands, and areas near Jerusalem.

Aviation Disrupted Amidst Threat

As a precautionary measure, flights inbound to Ben Gurion International Airport were temporarily suspended. A FlyDubai aircraft originating from Dubai was placed in a holding pattern over Israeli airspace. Other air traffic experienced delays while positioned over the Mediterranean Sea. A Royal Jordanian flight also faced an airborne delay due to its planned transit through Israeli airspace.

Houthi Solidarity with Gaza Declared

Senior Houthi official Hezam al-Asad, known for occasionally communicating in Hebrew, posted a statement in Arabic expressing solidarity. He wrote, The Yemeni people, with their brave Quranic leadership and forces, will not abandon Gaza.

Escalating Regional Tensions

In recent months, the Houthis have escalated their attacks on maritime traffic, impacting crucial trade routes between Asia and Europe. These actions have led to civilian casualties among crews and significant disruptions to global shipping operations. The Houthis regularly hold mass demonstrations in support of Gaza, with recent protests under the slogan, We will continue to support Gaza and confront the Zionists.

Persistent Houthi Threat

Despite ongoing military responses, Israel continues to face challenges in deterring the Houthi threat. Their launch sites are located approximately 2,000 kilometers (about 1,240 miles) from Israeli territory, yet their actions have repeatedly impacted the daily lives of millions. Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi recently commented on the situation at Israel’s Red Sea port of Eilat, suggesting it might face closure. He stated, The sinking of two ships belonging to companies that violated the ban on sailing to Israel has once again shut down the port of Eilat after attempts to reopen it.

The impact of Houthi attacks extends beyond direct missile threats. Global shipping companies like Maersk have rerouted vessels around Africa, adding significant transit time and costs, a situation that has persisted for months. For instance, the average transit time for goods from Asia to Europe has increased by approximately 40% due to these diversions (Reuters, January 2024).