فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
On May 4, 2025, a ballistic missile launched by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels struck near Ben Gurion International Airport, Israel’s primary aviation hub, bypassing advanced U.S. and Israeli defense systems. The attack, which injured six people and caused temporary flight suspensions, has sparked a crisis in Tel Aviv, raising concerns about Israel’s security and escalating regional tensions.
At approximately 9:30 AM local time, the Houthi rebels fired a hypersonic ballistic missile, identified as the “Palestine-2,” targeting Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. Despite multiple interception attempts by Israel’s Arrow missile defense system and the U.S.-made THAAD system, the missile landed near Terminal 3, creating a crater and scattering debris across a nearby road. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the failure to intercept the projectile, prompting an immediate investigation. The Times of Israel reported that the missile caused minor damage to a vehicle and a road within the airport’s perimeter.
According to Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency service, six individuals sustained mild to moderate injuries, primarily from glass shards and shock waves, with two others hurt while rushing to shelters. No fatalities were reported. The attack triggered air raid sirens across central Israel, sending passengers into panic and safe rooms at the airport. Reuters noted that videos circulating online showed a plume of black smoke rising from the impact site.
The strike led to a temporary closure of Ben Gurion Airport, halting all flights and train services to the site for nearly an hour. The Israel Airports Authority resumed normal operations shortly after, but over 20 international airlines, including Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways, and Air India, canceled flights through at least May 6, citing safety concerns. Al Jazeera reported that Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree warned airlines that the airport was “no longer safe for air travel,” intensifying fears of further attacks.
The cancellations left Israeli carriers like El Al, Arkia, and Israir with near-monopoly control, leading to fully booked flights and higher fares. An Air India flight from New Delhi was diverted to Amman, Jordan, during the incident. The Telegraph highlighted the disruption as a significant blow to Israel’s connectivity.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an urgent security cabinet meeting to address the breach, vowing a strong response. In a video statement, he declared, “We attacked [the Houthis] in the past, and we will attack in the future. This isn’t a one-and-done, but there will be big hits.” Defense Minister Yoav Gallant echoed this, stating, “Whoever harms us will be struck sevenfold in return.” The Jerusalem Post reported that Israel is reconsidering its policy of restraint toward Yemen, previously influenced by U.S. requests under President Donald Trump.
Opposition leader Benny Gantz pointed to Iran as the orchestrator, claiming, “It is Iran that is firing ballistic missiles at Israel, and it must bear responsibility.” No evidence was provided to substantiate this claim. Al Jazeera noted that the attack coincided with Israel’s plans to expand its military operations in Gaza, suggesting a broader regional escalation.
The Houthis claimed the attack was in solidarity with Palestinians amid Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, which resumed in March 2025 after a two-month ceasefire. The group has launched over 400 missiles and drones at Israel since October 2023, with most intercepted. However, the “Palestine-2” missile’s ability to evade defenses, possibly due to its hypersonic technology resembling Iran’s Fattah missile, marks a significant escalation. The Telegraph and posts on X suggest the missile’s curved glide path challenged Israel’s multilayered defenses, including Iron Dome and Arrow systems.
The attack follows a pattern of Houthi aggression, including a December 2024 strike on Tel Aviv that injured 16 and a July 2024 drone attack that killed one. The group’s actions are part of the broader Red Sea crisis, disrupting global shipping and drawing U.S. and U.K. airstrikes on Yemen, which have killed hundreds but failed to deter the Houthis. CNN highlighted the group’s resilience despite U.S. bombardment.
The failure of both Israel’s Arrow system and the U.S.-provided THAAD to intercept the missile has raised alarm about the reliability of these defenses against advanced Houthi weaponry. Military analysts suggest Iran may have supplied enhanced missile technology, though Tehran denies direct involvement. CNN quoted an Israeli official noting that the IDF is analyzing sensor detection and interceptor performance to address the breach.
Posts on X underscored the attack’s significance, with users claiming the missile traveled 2,000 km undetected by U.S. and French naval assets in the Red Sea, though these claims remain unverified. The incident has fueled public discontent in Israel, with fears of further vulnerabilities as the Houthi arsenal evolves.
The attack has intensified concerns about a wider Middle East conflict, particularly as Israel prepares to vote on expanding its Gaza offensive. NPR reported that the timing, hours before a key security cabinet meeting, suggests the Houthis aimed to influence Israel’s strategic decisions. Hamas praised the strike, calling Yemen “the twin of Palestine” in resisting Israel.
Internationally, the U.S. has vowed to continue strikes on Houthi targets, with President Trump warning Iran of “dire consequences” for supporting the group. However, the Houthis’ ability to strike Israel despite U.S. efforts underscores the limits of current military strategies. BBC noted ongoing U.S.-U.K. operations targeting Houthi infrastructure.
Key Details of the Attack:
| Detail | Information |
| Date | May 4, 2025 |
| Perpetrator | Houthi rebels (Iran-backed) |
| Target | Ben Gurion International Airport, Tel Aviv |
| Missile Type | Hypersonic ballistic missile (“Palestine-2”) |
| Casualties | 6 injuries (mild to moderate) |
| Flight Impact | Temporary suspension; cancellations through May 6 |
| Israeli Response | Security cabinet meeting; promised retaliation |
The Houthi missile strike on Ben Gurion Airport on May 4, 2025, marks a dangerous escalation in the Middle East, exposing vulnerabilities in Israel’s defense systems and disrupting its aviation hub. While the immediate toll was limited, the attack’s political and security ramifications are profound, with Israel vowing retaliation and the region bracing for further conflict. As the Gaza war fuels Houthi aggression, the international community faces mounting challenges in containing this volatile crisis.
Sources: The Times of Israel, Al Jazeera, Reuters, CNN, The Jerusalem Post, The Telegraph, NPR, BBC
