Israel destroys Yemen’s last active passenger plane scheduled for Hajj flight

Israel launched airstrikes on Yemen’s Sanaa International Airport, destroying the last remaining passenger plane on the tarmac. The attack came after the Houthi movement fired projectiles toward Israel, in retaliation for Israel's genocide in Gaza. The destroyed aircraft was scheduled to transport Yemeni pilgrims for Hajj.

Houthi-affiliated Al-Masirah TV confirmed onWednesday that multiple Israeli airstrikes struck the airport’s runway and targeted a Yemenia Airways plane.

According to the Houthi administration, commercial flights from Sanaa Airport had only resumed on May 17, following an earlier closure due to heavy Israeli bombardment that had destroyed six other planes just 11 days prior.

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz said the airstrikes were in direct response to two missiles launched from Yemen toward Israeli territory.

“This is a clear message and a continuation of our policy: Whoever fires at the State of Israel will pay a heavy price,” Katz said. 

Read: US airstrike on Yemeni oil port kills 38, leaves over 100 injured

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Iran for fueling the conflict, stating, “The Houthis are only a symptom. The real force behind this aggression is Iran, which is orchestrating attacks from Yemen and elsewhere.”

Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi dismissed the Israeli strikes as ineffective, saying that Israel’s efforts for deterrence through attacks on civilian infrastructure are futile.

“No matter the size of Israeli aggression and no matter how often it repeats, it will not affect our people’s stance in supporting the Palestinian people. The Israeli enemy remained in a weak position following the cessation of American aggression due to its failure,” he said.

The Houthi movement began launching attacks on US military assets and Israel-linked vessels after Israel’s military assault on Gaza began in October 2023. These strikes, the Houthis claim, are acts of solidarity with Palestinians.

Check: US bombs cancer facility in Yemen during airstrikes

Hostilities had briefly paused during a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in January.

However, in early March, Israel violated the truce by resuming military operations and imposing a total blockade on Gaza.

In response, the Houthis renewed their threats and attacks on American and Israeli ships, prompting the US and Israel to intensify their airstrikes on Houthi positions.