Houthi Missile Lands Near Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport
A missile launched from Yemen struck near Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport on May 4, causing injuries and momentary chaos. Six people were wounded as the missile impacted close to a major access road near the airport’s boundary. The explosion left a visible crater and triggered panic among travelers and airport personnel.
What makes the incident more alarming is that the missile evaded Israel’s sophisticated air defense systems. This marks one of the rare times that a long-range projectile breached the protective shield around Israel’s most vital infrastructure without interception.
Ben Gurion Airport Disruption
The missile strike prompted authorities to suspend all operations at Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s busiest aviation hub. Flights were grounded, and incoming aircraft were rerouted. Within an hour, the airport resumed limited operations, but the event triggered a wave of international flight cancellations.
Major carriers including Lufthansa, Delta Airlines, Air France, and ITA Airways either cancelled or postponed flights to and from Tel Aviv. Airlines cited security concerns and are expected to assess the situation before resuming normal schedules. The temporary closure caused considerable delays, further amplifying the impact of the attack on regional air traffic.
Israel-Yemen Conflict Escalation
The Houthi rebels from Yemen have claimed responsibility for the missile strike, describing it as a retaliatory act of solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The group stated it intended to target Israeli infrastructure in response to military actions in the Palestinian territories.
The incident has significantly heightened security tensions, especially given the failure of both Israeli and allied missile defense systems to intercept the projectile. Defense systems such as Israel’s Arrow and the US-operated THAAD were reportedly activated but did not succeed in stopping the missile.
In response, Israeli leadership has vowed to retaliate decisively. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held an emergency cabinet meeting following the attack, while Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that any act of aggression would be answered “sevenfold.”
This incident marks one of the most successful and high-profile strikes by the Houthi rebels in recent times. It has raised fresh concerns about regional stability and the growing reach of ballistic threats originating from beyond Israel’s immediate borders.
