Yemenis Rally in Support of Gaza as Ben Gurion Faces Strikes
In a bold display of solidarity with Gaza amidst ongoing hostilities, Yemeni demonstrators have taken to the streets. Concurrently, Yemen's armed forces launched a hypersonic missile targeting Ben Gurion Airport, resulting in the suspension of air traffic.
Tens of thousands of Yemeni citizens took to the streets across multiple provinces on Friday in their regular display of support for Gaza, in light of the continuing crisis and blockades enforced by Israeli forces. This week’s protests were organized under the theme: “Steadfast with Gaza, we escalate against genocide and starvation.”
In a unified declaration, the organizers of the widespread demonstrations underscored Yemen’s steadfast solidarity with the Palestinian resistance in Gaza. The statement conveyed, “Our commitment to Gaza remains resolute until triumph is secured,” and it cautioned about the grave magnitude of the Israeli regime’s alleged war crimes.
The statement denounced what it described as “one of the most heinous genocidal crimes of the modern era,” urging the Arab and Islamic communities to break their silence and take concrete, decisive steps in response to the unfolding atrocities in the Gaza Strip. It also conveyed full backing for the operations conducted by the Yemeni Armed Forces targeting the Israeli occupation, asserting that these actions have “inflicted significant damage” on the adversary.
Protesters hailed what they termed the “historic resilience, immense patience, and heroic feats” of Gaza’s residents and resistance groups amidst widespread bombardment and blockade.
On Friday, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, confirmed the execution of a high-precision military strike on the Israeli al-Lydd airport, also known as Ben Gurion Airport, located in occupied Yafa. The operation reportedly utilized a hypersonic ballistic missile.
Brigadier General Saree announced that the military operation achieved its objectives, resulting in a total cessation of air traffic and compelling millions of residents to seek refuge in bomb shelters. He refrained from detailing the level of damage inflicted on the airport. However, he emphasized that the attack was a direct retaliation against the Israeli regime’s ongoing assaults and blockade measures imposed on Gaza’s civilian populace.
A military spokesperson emphasized that operations will persist as long as the Israeli occupation maintains its siege and offensive against the Palestinian population, particularly in Gaza.
Saree underscored that maintaining silence amid the ongoing daily violence in Gaza risks bringing shame and disgrace upon the Ummah, making it more susceptible to adversaries. He stressed the urgent need to rise to their religious, moral, and humanitarian obligations to support the oppressed Palestinian population.
He emphasized that the YAF’s operations will persist and intensify until Israeli actions in Gaza cease and the blockade on the Palestinian enclave is lifted.
Earlier, the Israeli military reported that its air defense systems responded to a ballistic missile launched from Yemen. This announcement came after air raid sirens were heard across Tel Aviv and extensive regions of the occupied Palestinian territories.
Israeli news outlets have indicated that flights to and from Ben Gurion Airport were temporarily suspended following the activation of air raid alerts and the identification of a missile originating from Yemen. The Israeli military subsequently reported that the missile was successfully intercepted.
Mohammed al-Farrah, a leading figure in Ansar Allah’s political bureau, announced on Thursday that Yemen’s recent “military surprise” was directed at the port of Haifa, a key economic center in the occupied Palestinian territories.
In an interview with Al Mayadeen, al-Farrah cautioned that “more surprises are coming” and disclosed that the Yemeni Armed Forces are actively pursuing efforts to shut down Haifa and Ben Gurion Airport, similar to their previous actions with Eilat port, which has remained mostly inactive.
Al-Farrah highlighted that the Yemeni Resistance meticulously assesses the “security and political impact” associated with its missile launches targeting “Israel.” He emphasized that their operations have yielded tangible outcomes, including military strain and heightened fear among the settlers.
