Israeli Military Intercepts Missile Launched from Yemen Amid Increased Tensions
Unexpected missile attack coincides with sporting event and prompts temporary disruption at Ben Gurion Airport.
On the evening of May 29, 2025, the Israeli military intercepted a missile launched from Yemen, triggering alarm systems in several regions and leading to a temporary halt in operations at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.
The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed the interception, stating it occurred shortly after warning sirens were activated throughout parts of the country.
Reports indicated that the missile was intercepted in the airspace over Jerusalem, creating panic as residents sought shelter.
Following the detection of the missile's launch, Ben Gurion Airport was temporarily closed to air traffic, coinciding with the activation of alarm sirens in the greater Tel Aviv area and Jerusalem.
The missile launch occurred concurrently with the final of the Israeli Cup football match, held at the Bloomfield Stadium in southern Tel Aviv, which was attended by approximately 30,000 spectators.
The match was briefly halted as players left the field and President Isaac Herzog was evacuated to a secure location due to the missile threat.
Herzog later returned to the event after being moved to safety, where he requested the attendees to lie down for ten minutes following the missile launch.
Israeli media reported that the match faced interruptions on two occasions: first due to the Yemeni missile launch, and the second because of racially charged chants from the crowd.
In comments following the incident, Yehia Sari, a spokesperson for the Houthi movement (Ansar Allah), claimed responsibility for the missile launch, stating it targeted Ben Gurion Airport in what they termed an 'operation' that forced millions of Israelis to seek refuge in shelters and halted flight operations at the airport.
Sari emphasized that their attacks would continue until what they described as the aggression against Gaza ceased and the blockade was lifted.
This missile launch followed a day after the Houthis claimed that Israeli airstrikes had targeted Sana'a International Airport, destroying the only operational aircraft at the facility.
In response, Yemenia Airlines announced a complete suspension of flights from the airport.
The Houthi movement has repeatedly launched missile attacks against Israel, framing these actions as retaliation against Israel's military actions in Gaza.
Earlier this month, US forces executed punitive airstrikes against Houthi positions, correlating with claims that the Houthis had pledged to refrain from attacking ships, although no such agreement has been made regarding attacks on Israel.
The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed the interception, stating it occurred shortly after warning sirens were activated throughout parts of the country.
Reports indicated that the missile was intercepted in the airspace over Jerusalem, creating panic as residents sought shelter.
Following the detection of the missile's launch, Ben Gurion Airport was temporarily closed to air traffic, coinciding with the activation of alarm sirens in the greater Tel Aviv area and Jerusalem.
The missile launch occurred concurrently with the final of the Israeli Cup football match, held at the Bloomfield Stadium in southern Tel Aviv, which was attended by approximately 30,000 spectators.
The match was briefly halted as players left the field and President Isaac Herzog was evacuated to a secure location due to the missile threat.
Herzog later returned to the event after being moved to safety, where he requested the attendees to lie down for ten minutes following the missile launch.
Israeli media reported that the match faced interruptions on two occasions: first due to the Yemeni missile launch, and the second because of racially charged chants from the crowd.
In comments following the incident, Yehia Sari, a spokesperson for the Houthi movement (Ansar Allah), claimed responsibility for the missile launch, stating it targeted Ben Gurion Airport in what they termed an 'operation' that forced millions of Israelis to seek refuge in shelters and halted flight operations at the airport.
Sari emphasized that their attacks would continue until what they described as the aggression against Gaza ceased and the blockade was lifted.
This missile launch followed a day after the Houthis claimed that Israeli airstrikes had targeted Sana'a International Airport, destroying the only operational aircraft at the facility.
In response, Yemenia Airlines announced a complete suspension of flights from the airport.
The Houthi movement has repeatedly launched missile attacks against Israel, framing these actions as retaliation against Israel's military actions in Gaza.
Earlier this month, US forces executed punitive airstrikes against Houthi positions, correlating with claims that the Houthis had pledged to refrain from attacking ships, although no such agreement has been made regarding attacks on Israel.
