Argentine’s President Javier Milei shared images of a suspected Houthi missile attack against Israel a day after Israeli forces struck a port used by the Yemeni group in an unprecedented naval attack.

Milei landed at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport on Monday night for a three-day-visit to meet with Israeli leaders, staying at King David Hotel in Jerusalem, according to the Buenos Aires Times.

The Houthis said they had targeted Ben Gurion Airport with two ballistic missiles on Tuesday, claiming one had hit its target, but the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said at least one was intercepted and reported no further damage.

Newsweek has reached out to the IDF for further comment.

Why It Matters

The Iranian-backed group has been undeterred by a recent U.S. airstrike campaign and ongoing Israeli operations against their targets in Yemen and the attack demonstrates its continued ability to attack Israel from afar.

The Houthis have launched attacks against Israeli and American interests in the Red Sea following the war on Gaza that erupted after Hamas‘ 2023 October attack, but their threats have expanded to international vessels and now airliners.

What To Know

“I just saw this from the hotel where I’m staying in Jerusalem,” Milei posted to his X account on Tuesday night, along with video footage showing missiles apparently intercepted in the sky. Milei is a staunch supporter of Israel.

Milei’s post came as sirens sounded in Jerusalem after a missile was launched from Yemen during his stay, Yedioth Ahronoth’s Ynet reported.

Military spokesperson for the Houthi group Yahya Saree said two missile attacks targeting the Ben Gurion airport. “One of the missiles directly hit Lod Airport, and interceptor systems failed to intercept it,” in a video statement Tuesday.

The IDF said “one missile launched from Yemen was apparently intercepted.
Additional interceptors were launched due to concerns about falling interceptor fragments,” according to a statement on X.

Although there has been no confirmation of halting air traffic at the airport, Houthi attacks have impacted operations with some global airlines suspending flights in May.

The Houthi attack followed Israel’s first Navy assault on the group-controlled Hodeida port in Yemen.

“The strikes were carried out to stop the use of the port for military purposes,” an Israeli military official told Newsweek. “The Israeli Navy has been preparing for the operation for an extended period of time, and it is safe to say that it was a successful one.”

The Houthis say they are acting in solidarity with Gaza, which has been devastated by the Israeli offensive launched after its Hamas rulers attacked Israel from there in October, 2023.

What People Are Saying

Argentina’s President Javier Milei wrote on X: “I strongly suggest that when you comment on what’s happening in Israel, you keep in mind what it’s like to live under this situation.”

Houthi Military Spokesperson Yahia Saree in statement via Telegram: “Let the criminal enemy expect from us more and more support and assistance for our people of truth and loyalty in Gaza, the pride, dignity, sacrifice, and redemption. We will continue to support and stand by their side until the aggression against them stops and the siege is lifted.”

An Israeli military official told Newsweek: “We will continue to operate against the Houthi threat – we have done so in the past, we have acted today, and we will act again in the future as long as this threat to Israel persists.”

What Happens Next

Military action is expected to escalate between the two sides with the Houthis now threatening to attack Israel’s Haifa port.