Tel Aviv: The Houthis in Yemen have declared a complete air blockade on Israel, responding to what they describe as Israel’s decision to intensify its military operations in the Gaza Strip. This announcement was made on Sunday evening, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Houthis Spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree announced in a video statement that the Yemeni armed forces plan to enforce this air blockade by consistently targeting Israeli airports, with a particular focus on Ben Gurion Airport, known locally as Lod Airport. Saree urged international airlines to heed this announcement and cancel all flights to Israeli airports to ensure the safety of their aircraft and passengers.

The spokesman further emphasized Yemen’s stance against the ongoing conflicts, stating that Yemen will not tolerate continuous violations imposed by Israel, which include targeting Arab nations such as Lebanon and Syria. He affirmed that Yemen is prepared to confront such aggression without yielding.

In a related development, the Israeli army admitted that a missile launched from Yemen had landed near Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Reports from Channel 12 highlighted the potency of the missile, noting that it was equipped with a large warhead, resulting in a substantial explosion after bypassing multiple layers of air defense systems.

Moreover, Army Radio quoted a military source revealing the failure of both American THAAD and Israeli Arrow defense systems to intercept the Yemeni missile. This revelation underscores the growing threat posed by the escalating military capabilities of the Houthis.

In a statement, the military spokesman for the Ansar Allah group confirmed their responsibility for the missile attack on Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. The statement detailed the use of a hypersonic ballistic missile, which successfully hit its target, further challenging the effectiveness of American and Israeli defense systems.