As Israelis gathered to celebrate Lag B’Omer, the Houthis fired a missile at Israel, thus endangering many Israeli families, who struggled to reach the bomb shelter from an open area.
By Rachel Avraham
On Thursday night, as the Israeli nation celebrated Lag B’Omer, the Houthis fired another missile at Israel. At around 9:10pm on Thursday evening, the bomb sirens were sounded in Ben-Gurion Airport, Bat Yam, Bet Shemesh, Beitar Illit, Bnai Brak, Efrat, Gush Etzion, Herzliya, Holon, Modiin, Jerusalem, Kfar Etzion, Lod, Modiin Illit, Petach Tikva, Ramat Gan, Ramla, Rehovot, Rishon Le-Tzion, Tel Aviv, Herzliya, Kfar Saba, Ra’anana and a variety of other places in the Jerusalem area, Judea and Samaria, and Central Israel.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that the missile was successfully intercepted by the Arrow 3 missile defense system, Arutz Sheva reported. According to the report, debris from the interceptor fell in the community of Alon Shvut in Gush Etzion, causing no injuries. However, Magen David Adom (MDA) reported that several individuals suffered anxiety attacks and minor injuries while seeking shelter, Arutz Sheva noted.
The missile attack occurred while many families and children were outdoors celebrating Lag B’Omer, Arutz Sheva stressed. In areas without immediate access to shelters, people were forced to lie on the ground for protection, Arutz Sheva added. According to the report, the Houthi missile also caused a temporary halt to operations at Ben-Gurion International Airport.
This is the fifth time the Yemen-based terror group has fired a missile at Israel within the past week, one of which fell short and landed in Saudi Arabia, the Jerusalem Post reported. In total, the Houthis have launched 32 missiles at Israel over the past two months, with approximately 11 failing and falling within Saudi Arabia, Arutz Sheva reported. According to the Jerusalem Post, this comes amid US President Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East, where he announced several deals with Saudi Arabia and Qatar. At the time of the sirens, Trump was in the United Arab Emirates, the Jerusalem Post reported.
Israel Hayom reported that because of the Houthi missile threat that is directly harming operations at Ben-Gurion International Airport, Greek carrier Aegean is canceling flights until May 19. According to the report, LOT Polish Airlines is suspending flights until May 18. ITA Airways is suspending service until May 18, including flights AZ809 and AZ815 on May 19, Israel Hayom added. According to the report, Delta Air Lines is canceling flights through May 19. According to the report, United Airlines is suspending service through May 25. Transavia and AirBaltic are both extending their cancellations through May 20, Israel Hayom added.
According to Israel Hayom, the Lufthansa Group, which includes Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings, has extended the suspension of its Israel-bound and outbound flights until May 25. According to the report, Air France has extended its suspension of flights to Israel through May 20. Israel Hayom added that Iberia Express is canceling flights through May 31. According to the report, British Airways is suspending flights through June 14, well into the summer travel season. Israel Hayom added that Air Canada, which had originally planned to resume service on June 8, has now postponed its return until September 2025. This all adversely affects Israel’s economy and the ability of Israeli citizens to travel abroad, forcing many to rely solely on Israeli airlines. This is thanks to the Houthi siege on Ben-Gurion International Airport.
Photo from Yoninah: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lag_BaOmer#/media/File:Lag_BaOmer_bonfire.jpg
