Houthi Missile Hits Near Ben Gurion Airport: Israel Vows Response

A missile fired from Yemen by Houthi rebels struck near Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday, May 4, causing temporary flight disruptions and raising concerns about Israel’s missile defense capabilities. This rare breach at one of Israel’s most protected sites comes despite ongoing US-led airstrikes in Yemen aimed at weakening the Houthi group.

Missile Reaches Israel’s Main Airport

The Iran-backed Houthis claimed responsibility, saying the attack was a response to Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which they called a “genocide.” The group warned that it would continue targeting Israeli airports and impose a “comprehensive air blockade.” It also urged international airlines to halt flights to and from the country.

Israel’s military said it attempted to intercept the missile using its Arrow system, alongside the US-deployed THAAD defense system. However, both failed to stop the missile, which hit near the airport, damaging a road and a vehicle and causing flights to pause for about 30 minutes.

A New Phase in the Conflict?

According to the Houthis, the projectile was a hypersonic ballistic missile, capable of traveling at speeds up to Mach 16. If confirmed, this would mark a new level of technological capability for the group and a major threat to regional stability.

Military analysts in Israel voiced alarm over the missile’s precision—despite its launch from nearly 2,000 kilometers away. Israeli commentator Amir Bar Shalom called the strike “very accurate” and urged a thorough analysis of the defense failure.

Netanyahu and US Vow Response

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack and directly blamed Iran, warning that Israel would retaliate “at a time and place of our choosing.” He also reaffirmed Israel’s intent to destroy Hamas in Gaza.

Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed the sentiment, promising a “sevenfold” response, invoking language from the Torah. Opposition leaders criticized the government’s handling of the war and pointed to growing instability across the country.

Iran’s Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh warned that if Iran were attacked, it would retaliate without limits, targeting American and Israeli interests across the region.

International Fallout and Travel Disruption

Several major airlines—Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Air India, and others—suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv. Train service to the airport also halted briefly. Sirens wailed across central Israel, and travelers were forced into shelters.

This strike follows three consecutive days of missile launches from Yemen, and comes months after a Houthi missile hit Tel Aviv in December 2024, injuring over a dozen people.

US Airstrikes Continue Without Lasting Impact

Despite extensive US airstrikes in Yemen, including recent bombings of military and infrastructure targets, the Houthi group remains capable of launching ballistic missiles and disrupting international air traffic. The Pentagon’s campaign, which has reportedly cost nearly $1 billion, has struggled to neutralize the threat.

Sunday’s incident has now intensified debate over the effectiveness of Western military support, the resilience of Iran-backed proxy forces, and the potential for broader regional conflict involving Israel, Yemen, Iran, and the US.

Do you believe Israel and the US should shift their strategy after this failed interception? Why or why not?

More…

• https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/not-one-and-done-netanyahus-multiple-strike-warning-after-houthi-attack-8328604
• https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/04/netanyahu-yemen-houthis-attack-israel-ben-gurion-airport
• https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/04/middleeast/flights-halted-at-israel-airport-yemen-strike-intl