IRIA News

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A missile launched from Yemen by the Houthi rebels on May 4, 2025, penetrated Israel’s air defense systems and landed near Ben Gurion International Airport, disrupting flight operations and damaging the country’s primary air travel hub.

The attack has shaken Israeli confidence in its missile defense systems and reignited geopolitical tensions involving Iran, Yemen, and the broader Middle East.

The missile strike, claimed by the Houthi rebel group, halted flights at Ben Gurion for around 30 minutes. Debris was seen scattered along the road near Terminal 3, along with a crater “tens of meters wide and deep,” according to senior Israeli police commander Yair Hetzroni.

Though there were no serious casualties, four individuals sustained injuries from the blast, and two others were hurt while seeking shelter, local emergency services confirmed.

This marks the first known successful strike by the Houthis on Israel’s main international airport. A statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that “several attempts” were made to intercept the missile but failed.

“The interception results are under review,” the military added. A spokesperson confirmed that Israel launched its long-range Arrow interceptor. At the same time, the U.S.-supported Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system was also activated but failed to stop the projectile.

Aviation and public disruption

Following the strike, air traffic at Ben Gurion resumed, but not without continued disruptions. Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv through May 6. Additional cancellations from Air France and Delta were also reported.

Trains to and from the airport were briefly suspended, and the public was advised to avoid the area. Footage shared on social media appeared to show vehicles pulling over and civilians taking cover as sirens rang out and the missile struck, generating a plume of black smoke visible from the airport road.

A symbolic and strategic blow

The Houthi group announced that the missile strike was a response to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. “The American and Israeli defense systems failed to intercept the missile aimed at Ben Gurion Airport,” Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree declared. He said the missile used was a “hypersonic ballistic missile,” suggesting an advanced technology capable of high speeds and potential evasion of detection systems.

In a separate statement, the Houthis warned of further attacks and threatened a “comprehensive air blockade” on Israel. They urged international airlines to “cancel all scheduled flights to Israeli airports,” underscoring the potential for escalation in the conflict and increased risk to civilian aviation.

Accuracy of long-range strike

The accuracy of the strike, reportedly from 2,000 kilometers, stunned Israeli analysts and officials alike. “They were very accurate, and to be very accurate if you’re launching from 2,000 kilometers, it’s impressive,” said Amir Bar Shalom, military affairs analyst for Israel’s Army Radio. “You have to take this threat seriously.”

He added that the military would now scrutinize how the interception systems responded to the missile, what detection thresholds were triggered, and why neither Israeli nor American systems were able to neutralize the threat. “There are so many parameters that may be relevant to the result that have to be analyzed,” he noted.

Political and military fallout

The missile strike has significant ramifications for both Israeli defense posture and regional dynamics. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quick to respond, vowing reprisal. “We acted before; we will act in the future too. I cannot elaborate on all of that. The U.S., in coordination with us, is also operating against them. It is not ‘one and done’ – but there will be hits,” he said in a video address posted to social media.

Later, in a more pointed post on X, Netanyahu warned: “Israel will respond to the Houthi attack against our main airport AND, at a time and place of our choosing, to their Iranian terror masters.” Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed the sentiment, stating, “Anyone who hits us, we will hit them seven times stronger.”

President Trump is absolutely right!

Attacks by the Houthis emanate from Iran. Israel will respond to the Houthi attack against our main airport AND, at a time and place of our choosing, to their Iranian terror masters. pic.twitter.com/eO4hyUzNsI

— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) May 4, 2025

Iran’s defense minister, Aziz Nasirzadeh, also issued a stern warning, stating, “If we are attacked or a war is imposed on us, we will respond with might. We will attack their interests and their bases, and we will not be reluctant and will not see any limits in this regard.” Nasirzadeh added that while Iran seeks peace with its neighbors, “American bases on their soil will be our targets.”

Broader conflict on the horizon

The latest attack represents the third consecutive day of missile launches from Yemen toward Israel, intensifying concerns that the conflict, which began in Gaza in October 2023, is broadening into a wider regional war. The Houthis claim their missiles possess stealth features, a range of over 2,150 kilometers, and speeds up to Mach 16, raising the stakes in ongoing military engagements.

Since the start of the war with Hamas in Gaza, Israel has faced attacks not only from the Houthis but also from Hezbollah in Lebanon. While most projectiles have been intercepted, some have managed to penetrate defenses, leading to injuries and property damage.

Hamas praised Sunday’s attack by the Houthis, stating that Yemen is “the twin of Palestine, as it continues to defy the most brutal forces of oppression.”

Israel has launched its retaliatory strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen, targeting power stations and maritime ports. However, the United States has taken the lead in the broader military campaign against the Houthis.

Over recent months, the U.S. has conducted extensive bombing operations aimed at degrading the group’s capabilities, particularly in disrupting Red Sea shipping routes, which are vital for global commerce.

Despite these efforts, the Houthi threat remains potent. Pentagon officials previously estimated that the campaign had cost nearly $1 billion in just three weeks due to the deployment of advanced aircraft like the B-2 bomber and the use of high-value precision-guided munitions.