In a major escalation of hostilities, a ballistic missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels landed dangerously close to Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday, sending shockwaves across the country and raising serious concerns about the vulnerability of its air defence systems.
According to Israeli authorities, the missile struck a grove just 75 metres from Terminal 3—Israel’s busiest and most vital aviation hub—piercing through four layers of air defences before creating a 25-metre-deep crater within the airport’s perimeter. Although the missile missed key infrastructure, the proximity of the impact triggered widespread panic among passengers inside the terminal.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed that multiple interception attempts failed. A video released by the military showed security personnel assessing the impact site, with the airport’s control tower clearly visible in the distance. Standing at the crater, Police Central District Chief Yair Hezroni said: “You can see the area just behind us: a crater was formed here, several dozen metres (yards) wide and several dozen metres deep.”
WATCH THE VIRAL VIDEO:
🇮🇱 A 25-meter-deep crater marks the impact site of a Houthi ballistic missile — a stark message delivered deep into Israeli territory. Foreign airliners are alarmed. Lufthansa halts flights to Israel. Austrian Airlines follows suit, grounding Tel Aviv routes after the strike. pic.twitter.com/Njf6tdkkoE
— Aprajita Nefes 🦋 Ancient Believer (@aprajitanefes) May 4, 2025
At least eight people sustained injuries, according to Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s national emergency service.
The strike has prompted a high-level investigation into how a missile could penetrate such a heavily guarded zone. Israel’s acclaimed Iron Dome system, built to intercept short-range rockets and mortar shells within a 70-kilometre radius, failed to neutralize the threat—raising alarm bells among military and intelligence officials.
Following the near-catastrophic strike, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a warning to those behind the attack: “Whoever harms us, we will strike them sevenfold.” Despite repeated attacks by Houthi forces, Israel has so far refrained from launching retaliatory operations on Yemeni soil, as the United States continues to lead a broader military campaign against the Iran-backed rebel group.
Meanwhile, Houthi leadership celebrated the missile strike as proof of their growing capabilities. Speaking to Al-Araby TV, senior official Mohammed al-Bukhaiti declared: “No red lines” exist in their war against Israel and vowed to continue targeting sensitive sites.
In a separate statement, Houthi media chief Nasser al-Din Omar warned international airlines to avoid Israeli airspace, asserting that “such operations jeopardised aircraft safety.”
