In a major escalation, the Houthi rebels of Yemen launched a ballistic missile on May 5, 2025, striking near Terminal 3 at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. The attack caused significant damage to airport infrastructure and left at least eight people injured, despite Israel’s advanced missile defense systems, including Arrow 3 and the U.S.-provided THAAD, attempting to intercept the projectile. The missile strike marks a rare and successful attack on an Israeli target, reflecting the increasing sophistication of Houthi missile capabilities.
The Houthis, who have been at war with the Saudi-led coalition since 2015, are widely believed to be supported by Iran, a key player in the region. The Iranian regime has denied direct involvement in the attack but is known to provide the Houthis with weapons and logistical support. This missile strike comes amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, with Israel accusing Iran of backing proxy groups in the region, including the Houthis. The attack was part of the broader regional conflict involving not only Iran and Saudi Arabia but also Israel, whose security is increasingly threatened by missile attacks from non-state actors.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed swift retaliation, signaling that the country will not tolerate such breaches of its security. In response, Israel has begun bolstering its defenses, including strengthening air defense systems and preparing for potential further strikes. The Houthi missile attack near Tel Aviv’s international airport underscores the vulnerabilities that even advanced defense systems cannot always mitigate, highlighting the growing reliance on asymmetric warfare by regional actors. This attack is likely to spur further military and diplomatic action from Israel, which is already engaged in numerous fronts of conflict, especially concerning Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
