Iran-backed Houthi rebels successfully struck Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport with a ballistic missile, injuring eight people and prompting Netanyahu to vow swift retaliation against the growing threat from Yemen.
Quick Takes
- A missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels hit near Ben Gurion Airport’s main terminal, causing injury to eight people and temporarily halting flights
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged retaliation, stating “We attacked in the past, we will attack in the future”
- Israel’s defense systems failed to intercept the missile, raising serious questions about the country’s air defense capabilities
- Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree declared the Israeli airport “no longer safe for air travel”
- The attack represents a significant escalation in the Houthis’ campaign against Israel, which they claim is in support of Hamas
Direct Hit on Israel’s Main International Gateway
A ballistic missile launched from Yemen by Iran-backed Houthi rebels struck the perimeter of Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv on Sunday, marking a significant escalation in the regional conflict. The attack injured eight people, with some hurt by the blast itself and others during the rush to shelters. The missile created a crater near the airport’s main terminal, forcing authorities to temporarily suspend flights and close airport entrances. Multiple foreign airlines have canceled flights to and from Tel Aviv as a direct result of the attack, disrupting Israel’s main connection to international air travel.
Israeli officials confirmed that their missile defense systems failed to intercept the incoming threat, a troubling development that has prompted an immediate investigation by the Israeli Air Force. The country’s defense network, including the Iron Dome system that has successfully intercepted thousands of projectiles in the past, was unable to prevent this strike on one of Israel’s most critical infrastructure assets. This failure represents a significant breach in the defensive capabilities that Israel has relied upon to protect its civilian population and strategic facilities.
⚡️🚨 Clean shot of the moment of impact of the Yemeni missile on Ben Gurion Airport pic.twitter.com/Jeq9P3A4rk
— Middle East Observer (@ME_Observer_) May 4, 2025
Netanyahu Promises Strong Response
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has convened emergency meetings with defense officials and cabinet ministers to formulate a response to the attack. “We attacked in the past, we will attack in the future,” Netanyahu declared, signaling that Israel will not allow this strike to go unanswered. Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed this sentiment with an even stronger statement: “Anyone who hits us, we will hit them seven times stronger.” These declarations indicate that Israel is preparing a significant military response against Houthi positions in Yemen.
The attack comes amid ongoing tensions in the region, with the Houthis explicitly linking their actions to Israel’s military operations in Gaza. Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s War Cabinet, directly attributed the attack to Iran, which provides substantial support to the Houthi movement. This attribution raises the stakes considerably, potentially expanding the scope of Israel’s response beyond Yemen to include Iranian interests.
Houthis Claim Victory Despite Limited Damage
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree quickly claimed responsibility for the attack, declaring Ben Gurion Airport “no longer safe for air travel.” This statement reveals the psychological warfare component of the strike, aimed at disrupting Israel’s air connections and projecting Houthi power beyond Yemen’s borders. The group has repeatedly launched missiles and drones toward Israel since October 2023, though this marks their first successful strike against a major Israeli target. The attack demonstrates the Houthis’ expanding military capabilities despite ongoing U.S.-led bombing campaigns against their positions in Yemen.
The Houthi attack on Ben Gurion Airport represents part of a broader campaign that has also targeted commercial shipping in the Red Sea, disrupting global trade routes. Despite months of U.S. and British airstrikes against Houthi positions, the group has maintained its ability to launch sophisticated attacks against targets at significant distances from Yemen. This persistence suggests that military efforts alone may be insufficient to deter the Houthis, raising questions about the effectiveness of the current strategy to contain their threat to regional stability and international commerce.
Regional Implications and Security Concerns
The successful strike on Ben Gurion Airport has serious implications for regional security dynamics. Israel’s failure to intercept the missile suggests potential vulnerabilities in its defensive systems that adversaries may seek to exploit. As Israel prepares its response, regional tensions are likely to escalate further, with potential for a widening conflict that could draw in more actors from across the Middle East.
