Tel Aviv, May 4, 2025 — In a major escalation of regional tensions, a Houthi missile hit near Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday, injuring at least eight civilians and disrupting air travel across Israel. The missile, launched from Yemen by the Iran-backed Houthi rebel group, struck the airport’s outer perimeter, damaging infrastructure and prompting the temporary suspension of flights.
The incident marks the first time that a Houthi missile has directly impacted Israel’s main airport, raising questions about regional missile defense and the Houthis’ expanding reach.
✈️ Flights Suspended, Global Travel Disrupted
Following the impact, all air traffic at Ben Gurion Airport was temporarily halted. Major international airlines — including Air France, Lufthansa, and Air India — canceled or delayed inbound flights. Israeli carrier El Al began organizing emergency return flights for citizens stranded abroad.
The missile reportedly evaded Israel’s Arrow missile defense system and the U.S.-supplied THAAD system, a development that shocked defense analysts and regional observers alike.
🗣️ Israel Vows Response
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the strike, stating that “Israel will respond at a time and place of our choosing — to the Houthis and to their Iranian terror masters.”
Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed this sentiment, warning that “whoever attacks us, we will hit back sevenfold.”
The attack comes amid growing conflict in Gaza, with the Houthis claiming they launched the strike in solidarity with Palestinians.
⚠️ Escalation Ahead?
The fact that a Houthi missile hit Ben Gurion Airport, one of the busiest airports in the Middle East, underscores the increasing sophistication of the rebels’ weaponry. It also signals a dangerous new phase in the region’s ongoing conflict, potentially drawing Israel deeper into confrontations far beyond its borders.
