Articles in this Cluster
05-05-2025
Israel has begun calling up tens of thousands of reservists to expand and intensify its Gaza offensive, aiming to pressure Hamas and secure the return of hostages. The IDF plans operations in new areas and to destroy above- and below-ground infrastructure. The move follows the collapse of a ceasefire in March; no hostages have been released since. Critics, including hostages’ families and some reservists, argue the strategy has failed to secure releases and accuse Prime Minister Netanyahu of prolonging the war without a postwar plan—claims he denies. Aid agencies warn Israel’s prolonged aid restrictions amount to starvation; Israel rejects this. The escalation comes amid fresh protests in Israel, continued casualties in Gaza, and regional flare-ups, including a Houthi missile landing near Ben Gurion airport.
Entities: Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Gaza, Hamas, hostages, Benjamin Netanyahu • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
05-05-2025
A Houthi missile from Yemen struck near Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, injuring four and briefly halting flights before operations resumed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed retaliation, blaming Iran for directing the Houthis and pledging a response “at a time and place of our choosing.” Israel’s defense minister warned of a stronger counterstrike. Reports say both Israel’s Arrow and a U.S. THAAD system failed to intercept the missile. The Houthis threatened a continuing aerial blockade on Israeli airports, amid their broader campaign that includes Red Sea shipping attacks, which the U.S. and UK have targeted with airstrikes. Netanyahu convened officials to discuss a response.
Entities: Benjamin Netanyahu, Houthis, Ben Gurion Airport, Iran, Israel • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
05-05-2025
A Houthi missile launched from Yemen briefly halted flights and commuter traffic at Israel’s Ben-Gurion International Airport, causing panic and minor injuries to four people. The projectile landed near airport access roads, leaving a crater; it’s unclear if it was the missile or interceptor debris. Operations resumed after about an hour. The Houthis claimed it was a hypersonic ballistic missile. Israel vowed retaliation, and top ministers were set to vote on expanding military operations in Gaza as thousands of reservists were called up. The incident comes amid ongoing Houthi attacks since October 2023, intermittent Israeli and U.S. strikes on Houthi targets, and escalating conflict in Gaza, where a deepening humanitarian crisis persists.
Entities: Houthi movement, Ben-Gurion International Airport, Israel, Yemen, Gaza • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
05-05-2025
Israel launched its first strikes in months on Houthi targets in Yemen after the Iran-backed group hit Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport with a ballistic missile. The IDF said 20 fighter jets struck dozens of sites in and around Hodeidah, including the port—alleged to be used for Iranian arms transfers—and a cement factory used for military infrastructure; Houthi authorities reported at least one death and 35 injuries. The Houthis vowed to impose an “air blockade” on Israel by repeatedly targeting airports and urged airlines to cancel flights. Despite US and Israeli strikes in recent months, Houthi projectile attacks on Israel and Red Sea shipping have continued. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised further action, blaming Iran for backing the group.
Entities: Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Houthis, Yemen, Hodeidah, Ben Gurion Airport • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
05-05-2025
Israel’s security cabinet approved an expanded Gaza operation, “Gideon’s Chariots,” with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing a sustained ground presence, population displacement to southern Gaza, and retention of a buffer zone. The plan, slated to start after President Trump’s Middle East visit unless a hostage deal emerges, aims to subdue Hamas and free hostages; officials signaled the military will hold captured areas and not withdraw even if a deal is reached. The IDF’s spokesperson said returning hostages is the top goal, drawing political backlash. Far-right ministers touted “conquering” Gaza and did not rule out annexation. The UN warned the expansion would increase civilian deaths. Amid a nine-week aid blockade widely condemned as unlawful, Israel and the US are discussing a new aid mechanism to bypass Hamas, though internal Israeli disputes persist over resuming deliveries. Palestinian casualty figures exceed 52,000 since the war began, with over 2,400 killed since mid-March.
Entities: Israel, Gaza, Benjamin Netanyahu, Hamas, IDF • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
05-05-2025
A missile launched by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels forced a temporary shutdown of Israel’s main international airport after a failed interception, highlighting gaps in Israel’s air defense despite ongoing U.S. strikes on the Houthis. The group claimed it used a hypersonic ballistic missile in retaliation for Israel’s Gaza campaign. Retired Col. Cedric Leighton told CNN this capability could be a major regional game-changer by extending Houthi reach and complicating Israeli and U.S. defense calculations; Israel vowed a severe response.
Entities: Houthi rebels, Israel, Gaza, Ben Gurion Airport, hypersonic ballistic missile • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
05-05-2025
A Houthi missile struck near Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport after reportedly evading Israeli and U.S. defenses, injuring at least eight people with no life-threatening wounds. The attack prompted temporary flight cancellations by airlines including Lufthansa, Swiss, and Air Europa. Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, vowed retaliation, with Netanyahu holding defense meetings. Separately, the Israeli Air Force reported hitting over 100 targets in Gaza over the weekend, while ground troops dismantled terrorist infrastructure and killed several Hamas operatives. The strike followed nationwide disruptions from major wildfires that forced the cancellation of Israel’s Independence Day celebrations.
Entities: Houthi missile, Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
05-05-2025
An open letter signed by 1,200 Israeli Air Force pilots—and over 15,000 other military personnel—calls for ending the Gaza war to secure the release of remaining hostages, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of prioritizing political survival over security. Former pilot Guy Poran says the government violated a ceasefire deal that required full Israeli withdrawal and hostage release, arguing the war now serves personal and political interests. Netanyahu dismissed the signatories as “bad apples,” while the military has threatened dismissals. The campaign highlights widening rifts within Israel’s security establishment and society amid ongoing conflict, unclear war aims, and concerns the prime minister’s coalition would collapse under a ceasefire.
Entities: Israeli Air Force, Benjamin Netanyahu, Gaza war, hostage release, Guy Poran • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
05-05-2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to retaliate against Yemen’s Houthi movement and Iran after a Houthi-fired missile landed near Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, briefly halting flights and transport and lightly injuring four people. Israel said interception attempts failed due to a technical issue with an interceptor, not detection systems. The attack coincided with Israel’s decision to expand military operations in Gaza and reserve call-ups. The Houthis claimed they used a hypersonic ballistic missile and announced plans to impose an air blockade on Israel, urging airlines to cancel flights. Iran warned it would target US or Israeli interests if attacked. Some international carriers suspended Tel Aviv flights.
Entities: Benjamin Netanyahu, Houthis, Iran, Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport, Gaza • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
05-05-2025
Israeli jets struck Yemen’s Houthi-controlled port city of Hudaydah, hitting the port and a nearby cement factory, after a Houthi ballistic missile landed near Tel Aviv’s Ben-Gurion Airport and injured at least six. The strikes killed at least one person and wounded more than 30, according to Houthi authorities. Hudaydah’s port is a vital lifeline for northern Yemen’s food, fuel, and aid, raising humanitarian concerns. The attack marks an escalation in ongoing exchanges between Israel and the Iran-backed Houthis, who have launched missiles and drones at Israel and targeted Red Sea shipping in claimed solidarity with Gaza. Despite repeated Israeli, U.S., and British strikes, the Houthis vow to continue until Israel ends its Gaza campaign. The U.S. has intensified operations and sanctions against the group, with recent strikes causing heavy casualties per Houthi officials, figures that remain unverified.
Entities: Israel, Houthis, Hudaydah, Tel Aviv Ben-Gurion Airport, Gaza • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
