Final Yemeni Hajj Flight, Empty of Passengers, Shot Down by Israeli Missile

The ongoing conflict between the Houthis and Israel continues to escalate, with both sides intensifying their attacks. Recently, Houthi-aligned forces launched a strike targeting an Israeli airport. In retaliation, Israel struck Sana’a International Airport in Yemen, destroying a commercial aircraft.

According to sources affiliated with Yemenia Airlines and the Houthis, the aircraft was intended to transport Yemeni pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj. However, there is no evidence that it was carrying passengers at the time of the Israeli strike.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant confirmed the attack, stating that it targeted the last aircraft still operated by the Houthis, claiming it was being used to transport Iran-linked militants. The Israeli military described the operation as part of broader strikes on Houthi infrastructure.

Houthi authorities had only recently resumed limited commercial flights from Sana’a on May 17, following a prior Israeli attack that destroyed six other planes at the airport 11 days earlier.

The Houthis, expressing solidarity with the Palestinian cause, have been launching missile attacks on Israel and targeting Red Sea shipping since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. These actions have drawn retaliatory strikes not only from Israel but also from the United States and the United Kingdom.

Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the recent airstrike, noting that fighter jets hit “terror targets” at Sana’a airport one day after the Houthis fired two projectiles at Israel. He stated, “Air Force jets have just struck terror targets of the Houthi terrorist organization at the airport in Sana’a and destroyed the last aircraft remaining.”

The Israeli military further explained that Houthi aircraft were being used to transport militants planning attacks against Israel.

Yemenia Airlines reported that the destroyed plane had been scheduled to carry pilgrims to Mecca for the Hajj. The Houthis began attacking commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in November 2023, shortly after the Israel-Hamas conflict erupted. In response, U.S. and British forces began conducting strikes on Houthi targets in January 2024.

Earlier this month, the United States reached a temporary ceasefire agreement with the Houthis, halting weeks of U.S. airstrikes. Nevertheless, Houthi forces have continued launching attacks toward Israel, including targeting Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.

Israel recently issued a warning, threatening to target Houthi leadership directly if the attacks persist.

UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg expressed concern over the escalating conflict, warning that the clashes between the Houthis and Israel are worsening an already precarious situation in Yemen and the broader region.

The Houthis had previously paused their attacks during a two-month ceasefire in Gaza, which collapsed in March.

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