Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Sana’a International Airport in Yemen, directly targeting the runway and a civilian aircraft. The Yemenia Airways plane scheduled to carry pilgrims to Hajj was completely destroyed. It was the last functioning passenger aircraft at the airport.
This brutal act came just a day after Yemen’s Armed Forces responded to Israeli aggression by striking Ben Gurion Airport. Instead of addressing military threats, Israel responded by attacking civilians — again. The airport had only recently resumed limited operations after previous Israeli bombings had shut it down for months.
Israel’s Defense Minister claimed the strike hit “terror targets.” But verified flight data shows the aircraft was a commercial plane — not military. It was preparing to fly for one of the holiest journeys in Islam. By destroying it, Israel did not just attack an airport — it deliberately disrupted a sacred religious act for Yemeni Muslims.
This is not the first time Israel has targeted civilian infrastructure under the guise of “security.” Hospitals, aid convoys, schools — and now, a Hajj–bound plane. The message seems clear: humanitarian corridors, religious freedoms, and civilian lives are irrelevant in the face of military domination.
Khaled al-Shaif, the airport director, condemned the strike as a “targeted attack on a humanitarian corridor.” With no aircraft left, hundreds of Yemeni pilgrims may now miss the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform Hajj. For many, it was their only chance — and it was crushed under the rubble.
While global powers remain largely silent, outrage is growing across the region. Many view this as not just another airstrike — but a direct assault on dignity, faith, and international law. Israel’s willingness to destroy civilian lifelines, including a peaceful religious journey, reveals a disturbing lack of humanity.
