On May 4, 2025, a missile launched by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels struck near Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport, causing panic and minor injuries. This incident marks a rare breach in Israel’s missile defense, as most previous attacks from Yemen have been intercepted. The explosion created a massive crater near Terminal 3, temporarily disrupting airport operations. Eight individuals were hospitalized with mild to moderate injuries, and several airlines, including Lufthansa, Delta, ITA Airways, and Air France, canceled flights to and from Tel Aviv.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, stating it was in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attributed the attack to Iran and vowed retaliation, emphasizing that Israel would respond at a time and place of its choosing.
The Israeli military reported that the missile was not intercepted due to a technical issue with the interceptor launched toward it. However, they clarified that there was no malfunction in the detection procedure, interception systems, or alert mechanisms.
This attack coincides with escalating Israeli military plans in Gaza and failed ceasefire attempts. The ongoing conflict originated from Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, which killed 1,200 people and led to a prolonged Israeli offensive in Gaza that has resulted in over 52,000 Palestinian deaths.
Source: Reuters
