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Netanyahu Condemns Deadly Houthi Airport Attack, Extends Condolences
On Sunday, October 11, 2026, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a strong condemnation of a deadly missile attack by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi terrorists on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The strike, which occurred on Saturday, October 10, killed 12 people and injured 309, while Srugim reported 14 fatalities. The attack caused extensive damage to passenger terminals 3 and 4, leading to flight suspensions and passenger evacuations.
20 newsrooms · 5 languages · sinceWhat happened
- 01Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned a deadly Houthi terrorist missile attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport.
- 02The attack on Saturday killed 12 people, injured 309, and caused extensive damage to passenger terminals.
- 03Netanyahu offered condolences on behalf of Israel, calling for a united Middle East to confront regional threats.
- 04The public condemnation is a rare diplomatic gesture given the lack of official relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
- 05The fatalities included citizens of Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, the United States, Jordan, Syria, Sudan, Egypt, and the Palestinian Authority.
- 06Saudi air defenses intercepted a subsequent Houthi missile near the Riyadh airport on Sunday amid threats of further escalation.
- 07U.S. President Donald Trump condemned the attack as unacceptable and stated Washington is considering military intervention against the Houthis.
Netanyahu extended deep condolences to the victims' families on behalf of the citizens of Israel and wished a full recovery to the injured. He characterized the incident as a horrific terrorist attack that targets innocent civilians to spread fear and instability, calling for resolute action against terrorism. Netanyahu also expressed Israel's aspiration for a strong, united Middle East that stands together against threats to build a future of security, cooperation, and prosperity.
The public statement is considered highly unusual as Israel and Saudi Arabia do not maintain official diplomatic relations, and analysts viewed the message as a signal favoring normalization. The fatalities included four Saudi citizens, two from Bangladesh, and one each from the United States, Jordan, Syria, Sudan, Egypt, and the Palestinian Authority. Following the initial strike, Saudi air defenses intercepted another missile near the airport on Sunday, while the Houthis warned airlines to avoid Saudi airspace and threatened further escalation.
The incident has drawn widespread international condemnation, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressing deep shock, and leaders from Germany and the European Commission also denouncing the strike. In Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump called the attack unacceptable and stated that the administration is considering military intervention against the Houthis.
Summarized by baba from the reports of 14 newsrooms. Updated
Latest report: The Times of Israel. Read The Times of Israel’s originalThe coverage
20 newsrooms on this story
Who covered it
- Left1
- Centre6+1
- Right4
- Haredi3
- Arab1
- Other5
