Yemen's Houthi rebels announced on Sunday, May 4, 2025, that they would target Israeli airports. They urged airlines to cancel flights to Israel following a missile strike that briefly disrupted air traffic at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated that Yemeni armed forces would target Israeli airports, especially Ben Gurion. Several airlines, including Lufthansa, Air India, British Airways and Air France, suspended flights to Tel Aviv.
The attack occurred hours before Israel announced the mobilization of reservists to intensify its offensive in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened Yemen's rebels and Iran, vowing retaliation for the airport attack.