A ballistic missile launched by Houthi rebels struck near Israel’s Ben Gurion airport on Sunday morning, injuring four people and temporarily shutting down the country’s main international transport hub. The missile, fired by the Iran-backed Houthi movement from Yemen, hit the vicinity of the airport, located just outside Tel Aviv, causing significant damage and raising questions about Israel’s missile defense capabilities.
Despite the presence of Israel’s advanced Arrow system and the American-made THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) system, both failed to intercept the missile. Images from the scene showed a large crater where the missile landed, with video footage capturing the missile’s fiery trail as drivers pulled over to seek shelter. Israeli emergency services reported that four individuals were injured, including a 50-year-old man who sustained limb injuries, likely from shrapnel.
The attack, claimed by the Houthis, is being described as one of the most successful launches by the rebel group in over a year. The Houthis said they used a “hypersonic ballistic missile” in the strike, marking a significant escalation in their involvement in the conflict against Israel. This attack follows a pattern of strikes by the group, who have also launched missiles into Israel and attacked vessels along critical maritime routes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The Houthis have framed their attacks as a show of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
Following the missile strike, Ben Gurion airport was temporarily closed. Police issued warnings urging the public to avoid the terminal area as authorities assessed the damage. The US and Israeli air forces have launched investigations into how the missile was able to penetrate Israel’s defenses, especially given that previous Houthi missile attempts over the past several days were successfully intercepted.
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu convened his weekly cabinet meeting to discuss a response to the attack. Defense Minister Israel Katz delivered a stern message, stating, “Whoever hits us gets hit sevenfold.”
The timing of the strike is significant, occurring just hours after Yemen’s internationally recognized Prime Minister, Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, announced his resignation. Bin Mubarak, who has been in opposition to the Houthis, was replaced by Salem Saleh Bin Braik. The Houthis have controlled much of Yemen since 2014, and their latest missile attack underscores the group’s continued influence in the region, despite the ongoing civil war in Yemen.
The missile strike also coincided with the Israeli government’s decision to call up tens of thousands of reservists, signaling an imminent escalation of military operations in Gaza. Israel’s ongoing military campaign, which has included the withholding of humanitarian aid, food, and medicine from Gaza, has prompted widespread condemnation and fears of a worsening humanitarian crisis. In response to Israel’s offensive, the Houthis have vowed to continue their attacks until Israel ceases its operations in Gaza.
The United States, which has been aiding Israel in intercepting missiles, has also launched air and naval strikes on Houthi targets in the Arabian Peninsula. Last week, the UK joined the US in targeting the rebels, marking an international effort to combat Houthi aggression.
