Middle East: Yemeni military operations deep inside the Israeli enemy have dealt severe blows to Lod Airport—known under occupation as “Ben Gurion Airport”—paralyzing its operations in repeated strikes and shattering one of the enemy’s most fortified myths: the illusion of air supremacy.

Lod Airport stands as one of the most strategic targets for the Yemeni Armed Forces. The strikes against it are not merely tactical but carry deep strategic weight, inflicting direct damage on its operational infrastructure and, in many cases, forcing the immediate suspension of air traffic.

Most global airlines have rushed to cancel flights to and from Lod Airport, while thousands of passengers remain stranded in waiting halls amid scenes of chaos and confusion after every strike. The Yemeni Armed Forces have repeatedly warned travelers and airlines of the risks of using the airport, signaling that it remains within the circle of active targets.

Established under British mandate in 1936 in the Palestinian city of Lod, the airport was seized by Zionist forces during the Nakba of 1948 and later became the main air hub of the occupying entity. In 1973, it was renamed “Ben Gurion Airport” after David Ben Gurion, the first prime minister of the Israeli enemy, becoming a symbol the occupation tried to market as a secure and prosperous gateway.

The airport normally handles more than 24 million passengers annually and operates over 500 flights daily, making it a critical economic, security, and media asset for the Israeli entity.

Since the launch of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood in October 2023, the Yemeni front has emerged as a key regional player, imposing new equations in both sea and air. Strikes on Lod Airport mark the culmination of a series of missile and drone operations, effectively signaling the imposition of an air blockade on the Israeli enemy—similar to the blockade already enforced on Umm al-Rashrash port and Zionist shipping in the Red Sea.

Economic and Security Fallout

The impact on the enemy’s aviation and tourism sectors has been severe. Flight traffic has dropped by 45 percent since the Yemeni operations began, with estimated economic losses approaching $4 billion within a single year. Foreign tourist arrivals plummeted from 278,000 to just 74,000—a staggering 73 percent decline.

On the security level, the Yemeni strikes have exposed the fragility of the enemy’s defense systems, as missile-defense platforms such as the Iron Dome and David’s Sling repeatedly failed to intercept incoming Yemeni projectiles. This has dealt a blow to the credibility of the Zionist military-industrial complex and revealed the inability of the entity to secure even its most vital symbols.

The repeated disruption has eroded settlers’ trust in the Israeli enemy’s security establishment, while the government faces mounting political embarrassment both domestically and internationally. The inability to stop Yemeni operations also places pressure on countries maintaining air links with the occupation, particularly Gulf states such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Strategic Messages

Yemeni support operations for Palestine have pushed international airlines to boycott Lod Airport, while transforming the occupied airspace into an unsafe zone that alarms Western governments concerned for their citizens’ security.

Beyond their immediate military impact, the operations carry far-reaching strategic messages. They have demolished the myth of the “invincible army,” proven the limits of the enemy’s technological superiority, and declared that no red lines remain. The skies of occupied Palestine are no longer secure, and the Israeli entity is under constant political, economic, and military pressure.

The sustained targeting of Lod Airport represents a qualitative leap for the Yemeni Armed Forces. Despite geographical distance, Yemen has managed to overturn the strategic balance. With continued strikes, the Israeli enemy faces a new reality: its security compromised, economy drained, and international image deteriorating.

Ultimately, Yemeni operations have struck at the very foundation of the Zionist project, built on claims of dominance, control, and safety—all of which now lie in ruins.

Translated by Almasirah English website