On May 4, 2025, a hypersonic ballistic missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, an Iranian-backed group labeled as terrorists by the U.S., struck near Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport, causing chaos and exposing vulnerabilities in Israel’s defense systems. The attack, which briefly halted air, road, and rail traffic, sent passengers scrambling for cover as a plume of smoke rose from the impact site. This bold strike, coupled with Israel’s vow for a “sevenfold” retaliation, signals a dangerous escalation in the ongoing conflicts across the Middle East, particularly as Israel prepares to vote on intensifying its military operations in Gaza.
A Brazen Attack on a Key Hub
The missile landed in a field near an access road to the airport’s parking lots, leaving a deep crater and scattering debris across a nearby road. Air raid sirens blared across Israel, and footage captured the panic as travelers shouted and sought safety. Four people sustained minor injuries, according to Israel’s paramedic service, Magen David Adom. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that the missile, possibly a fragment or an interceptor, evaded multiple interception attempts, including by the long-range Arrow system and the U.S.-deployed THAAD anti-missile system. An initial IDF inquiry pointed to a “technical issue” with the interceptor, raising concerns about Israel’s ability to counter such advanced threats.
Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed responsibility, stating the group used a hypersonic ballistic missile to target the airport in protest of Israel’s actions in Gaza. The Houthis, who have been firing missiles at Israel since the Gaza war began in October 2023, boasted of the missile’s precision and warned of potential future strikes, even threatening a “comprehensive air blockade” on Israeli airports. Military analyst Amir Bar Shalom noted the missile’s accuracy from 2,000 kilometers away, calling it a “new kind of threat” that demands serious attention.
A Region on Edge
The attack comes at a critical moment. Hours after the strike, Israel’s security Cabinet was set to vote on expanding military operations in Gaza, where the war has already claimed over 52,000 lives, mostly civilians, according to Palestinian health officials. Israel has called up thousands of reserves, signaling preparations for a wider offensive. Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir pushed for a “powerful” escalation, even suggesting bombing Gaza’s food and electricity supplies to pressure Hamas, the militant group controlling the territory.
The Gaza conflict, sparked by Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages, has plunged the region into a humanitarian crisis. Israel’s recent halt on goods entering Gaza has worsened hunger and displacement, with over 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents uprooted. A collapsed ceasefire in March 2025 led to renewed Israeli strikes, killing hundreds of Palestinians, including a family of four in recent airstrikes. The Israeli military also reported two soldiers killed in Gaza on May 4, bringing the toll since March to six.
Houthi Resilience and Global Implications
The Houthis’ ability to strike Israel, despite U.S. and Israeli counterattacks, underscores their growing threat. Since October 2023, they have launched missiles and drones at Israel in solidarity with Palestinians, with most intercepted but some, like the December 2024 Tel Aviv strike, causing damage and injuries. The group claims its missiles, possibly equipped with stealth technology, can travel 2,150 kilometers at speeds up to Mach 16. U.S. strikes on Houthi targets, costing nearly $1 billion in recent weeks, have failed to curb their capabilities, as have Israeli attacks on Yemeni infrastructure.
Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, promised a strong response, with Netanyahu hinting at strikes against both the Houthis and their Iranian backers. Iran’s defense minister, Aziz Nasirzadeh, warned that any attack on Iran would trigger retaliation against U.S. bases in the region, raising fears of a broader conflict. The Houthi strike’s success in breaching Israel’s defenses has also prompted international airlines, including Lufthansa and its affiliates, to suspend flights to Tel Aviv until at least May 6.
A Precarious Path Forward
The Ben Gurion attack highlights the fragility of Israel’s security and the limits of even the most advanced missile defense systems. As Israel weighs escalating its Gaza offensive, the region teeters on the brink of further violence. The Houthis’ defiance, backed by Iran, complicates an already volatile situation, with global trade already disrupted by their attacks on Red Sea shipping. For now, the world watches as Israel prepares its response, knowing that each move could tip the Middle East closer to an all-out war.
