Members of Israeli security services inspect a crater near a road outside Israels Ben Gurion airport after a missile launched from Yemen struck the area on May 4, 2025. A missile launched from Yemen struck near Israels main international airport on May 4, Israeli authorities said, an attack that briefly halted air traffic and triggered threats of retaliation. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP)
May 04, 2025 11:02 PM GMT+03:00
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday threatened to launch airstrikes on Yemen after a Houthi ballistic missile struck near Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, briefly disrupting air traffic.
Following the incident, Netanyahu convened an emergency security meeting to discuss expanded military action against Yemen, according to Israeli broadcaster KAN.
“President Trump is absolutely right! Attacks by the Houthis emanate from Iran. Israel will respond to the Houthi attack against our main airport AND, at a time and place of our choosing,” Netanyahu wrote on X after the meeting. He also reposted a March 17, 2025, statement from U.S. President Donald Trump condemning Houthi attacks on Israel amid its ongoing offensive in Gaza.
KAN reported that the security cabinet reached a “clear decision” to carry out further strikes on Yemen.
The Houthis have claimed multiple missile launches targeting Ben Gurion Airport in recent months, but Sunday marked the first time Israel officially confirmed that a Yemeni missile landed near the airport and directly disrupted civilian air traffic.
Israel’s Channel 13 reported that several international airlines — including Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Air India, ITA Airways, and Air Europa — canceled flights to Tel Aviv on Sunday.
Members of Israeli security services inspect a crater near a road outside Israels Ben Gurion airport after a missile launched from Yemen struck the area on May 4, 2025. A missile launched from Yemen struck near Israels main international airport on May 4, Israeli authorities said, an attack that briefly halted air traffic and triggered threats of retaliation. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP)
According to the same outlet, Israel’s “Arrow” (Hetz) missile defense system and the U.S.-deployed “THAAD” system both failed to intercept the incoming missile, resulting in minor injuries to seven people and grounding flights for roughly an hour.
Since mid-March, Yemen has been targeted by an intensified U.S. military campaign involving more than 1,300 air and naval strikes, which the Houthis claim have resulted in hundreds of civilian casualties.
The Houthis began attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and Gulf of Aden in November 2023, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The group temporarily halted attacks after a cease-fire agreement was reached in January between Israel and Hamas, but resumed operations in March following renewed Israeli airstrikes on Gaza.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces continued home demolitions in Rafah, southern Gaza, under helicopter gunfire, according to local witnesses.
Since October 2023, more than 52,500 Palestinians — mostly women and children — have been killed in Gaza in a sustained Israeli assault, according to Palestinian health authorities.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its military campaign in the enclave.
May 04, 2025 11:06 PM GMT+03:00
