DOHA, May 5. /TASS/. The Houthis of the Ansar Allah rebel movement plan to establish a complete air blockade of Israel by attacking its airports, including Ben Gurion, the group's spokesman Yahya Saria said.
"In response to Israel’s decision to expand its aggressive operation in the Gaza Strip, the armed forces declare that they will work to establish a complete air blockade of the Israeli enemy by launching multiple attacks on the airports, primarily Lod Airport, known in Israel as Ben Gurion Airport," he said during a Houthi-controlled Al Masirah TV broadcast.
The spokesman called on airlines to "take note of this statement since it was issued and cancel all flights to enemy airports to ensure the safety of planes and passengers."
On May 4, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) press office said that servicemen had detected the launch of a rocket toward Israeli territory and had attempted to intercept it. The Israeli army later said that the rocket's debris fell near Ben-Gurion Airport. According to a Yemeni Houthi spokesman, the rebels struck the airport with a hypersonic ballistic missile.
Israel's state broadcaster Kan reported that the airport had resumed receiving and dispatching planes after temporarily suspending operations. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said after the rocket landed that Israel would retaliate with a sevenfold strike against those who attacked it.