Israel Responds to Houthi Missile Attack on Ben Gurion Airport
Israeli officials confirm injuries and call for retaliation against Iranian-backed militants following the attack on the country's main international airport.
Tel Aviv - On May 4, 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged a strong response to the Iran-backed Houthi militants following a missile strike that targeted Ben Gurion Airport, Israel's primary international gateway.
The attack resulted in injuries to six individuals and spurred several major airlines to suspend their flights.
The missile, described by military sources as a hypersonic ballistic type, created a significant crater in the vicinity of the airport, striking just before noon local time and reportedly causing panic among passengers.
The Israeli military confirmed that the missile originated from Yemen.
Despite multiple attempts to intercept the projectile, it successfully hit the airport perimeter, marking the first occasion a missile has penetrated the airport limits.
Eyewitness accounts described the sound of a substantial explosion prompting immediate safety measures, with security personnel directing passengers to take cover.
A spokesperson for the police captured footage of officers surveying the site of the impact, which was located several dozen meters from Terminal 3, the airport's largest terminal.
No significant infrastructure damage was reported; however, the psychological impact of the incident has led to heightened security protocols.
Netanyahu indicated that while past operations against the Houthis have occurred, future actions would continue in response to ongoing threats, stating that Israel would retaliate at “a time and place of our choosing.”
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened a decisive counteraction, asserting, “Anyone who hits us, we will hit them seven times stronger.” In addition, the Houthis confirmed their responsibility for the missile strike, claiming it was part of their military operations supporting Palestinian factions amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Following the attack, multiple international airlines, including Air India, ITA Airways, Lufthansa, and Air France, announced the suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv, citing safety concerns.
An incoming Air India flight was diverted to Abu Dhabi as a precaution.
The current incident comes amidst an escalation of hostilities in the region, particularly following Israel's resumption of operations in Gaza earlier in March 2025. The Houthis have increasingly targeted Israeli interests throughout the ongoing conflict, indicating a growing dimension in regional hostilities and the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian situation.
The attack resulted in injuries to six individuals and spurred several major airlines to suspend their flights.
The missile, described by military sources as a hypersonic ballistic type, created a significant crater in the vicinity of the airport, striking just before noon local time and reportedly causing panic among passengers.
The Israeli military confirmed that the missile originated from Yemen.
Despite multiple attempts to intercept the projectile, it successfully hit the airport perimeter, marking the first occasion a missile has penetrated the airport limits.
Eyewitness accounts described the sound of a substantial explosion prompting immediate safety measures, with security personnel directing passengers to take cover.
A spokesperson for the police captured footage of officers surveying the site of the impact, which was located several dozen meters from Terminal 3, the airport's largest terminal.
No significant infrastructure damage was reported; however, the psychological impact of the incident has led to heightened security protocols.
Netanyahu indicated that while past operations against the Houthis have occurred, future actions would continue in response to ongoing threats, stating that Israel would retaliate at “a time and place of our choosing.”
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened a decisive counteraction, asserting, “Anyone who hits us, we will hit them seven times stronger.” In addition, the Houthis confirmed their responsibility for the missile strike, claiming it was part of their military operations supporting Palestinian factions amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Following the attack, multiple international airlines, including Air India, ITA Airways, Lufthansa, and Air France, announced the suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv, citing safety concerns.
An incoming Air India flight was diverted to Abu Dhabi as a precaution.
The current incident comes amidst an escalation of hostilities in the region, particularly following Israel's resumption of operations in Gaza earlier in March 2025. The Houthis have increasingly targeted Israeli interests throughout the ongoing conflict, indicating a growing dimension in regional hostilities and the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian situation.
