In a troubling escalation, a missile launched from Yemen struck near Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday, briefly shutting down operations and raising alarms over the country’s air defense vulnerabilities.

The missile, reportedly fired by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, managed to bypass multiple interception attempts by Israel’s advanced defense systems. This marked the first time the group has successfully targeted Israel’s main international airport — a high-profile and heavily protected location.

For about 30 minutes Sunday morning, flights in and out of Ben Gurion Airport were suspended after the missile landed nearby. Trains were also halted, and police urged the public to avoid the area. Debris from the impact littered the roads leading to the terminal, and videos circulating on social media showed plumes of black smoke rising near the airport.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged that several interception attempts were made using the Arrow missile defense system, and that the incident is under review. A U.S.-deployed THAAD anti-missile system is also stationed in Israel, but neither system prevented the missile’s impact.

The Houthi rebels quickly claimed responsibility, stating the attack was in response to what they called Israel’s “genocide” in Gaza. Spokesperson Yahya Saree said the missile used was a hypersonic ballistic missile, capable of traveling at speeds up to Mach 16 and equipped with stealth features.

“The American and Israeli defense systems failed to intercept the missile aimed at Ben Gurion Airport,” Saree said.

This incident comes amid ongoing Houthi attacks against Israel, with the group claiming to act in solidarity with Palestinians. Sunday’s strike marks the third consecutive day of missile launches from Yemen toward Israeli territory.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz promised a fierce retaliation, stating, “We will attack whoever attacks us sevenfold.” The country’s security cabinet convened later in the day to assess the situation.

Military analyst Amir Bar Shalom called the missile strike both accurate and deeply concerning. “If you’re launching from 2,000 kilometers and hitting near the airport — that’s impressive accuracy,” he told CNN. “We have to take this threat seriously.”

Bar Shalom noted that Israel’s military would investigate why the interception failed, considering variables such as radar detection, response timing, and missile trajectory.

Following the strike, several major European airlines suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv, including Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings. Flights are expected to resume after May 6.

Meanwhile, Hamas praised the attack, referring to Yemen as “the twin of Palestine,” lauding its resilience and defiance of foreign aggression.

This isn’t the first time a Houthi missile has evaded Israel’s defenses. In December 2023, a similar failed interception led to a strike in Tel Aviv that injured over a dozen people. The Houthis claimed they had used another hypersonic missile, “Palestine 2,” targeting a military facility. In July, the group claimed responsibility for a deadly drone attack on the city — the first of its kind.

Israel has responded to Houthi threats by launching strikes on key facilities in Yemen, including ports and power stations. However, the broader U.S. military campaign — which includes airstrikes, B-2 stealth bombers, and hundreds of millions of dollars in munitions — has so far failed to stop the flow of missile attacks from Yemen.

According to estimates, the U.S. effort to counter Houthi missile launches has already cost nearly $1 billion within just three weeks earlier this year. Despite the scale and intensity of the campaign, the group continues to pose a serious threat to Israeli and regional security.

Source: CNN – Israel fails to intercept Houthi missile targeting its main airport, showing the limits of US efforts to weaken the group

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Two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down on Sunday over the Red Sea in what the U.S. military has described as a “friendly fire” incident. Both pilots ejected safely from their F/A-18 Super Hornet and were recovered alive, though one sustained minor injuries. This marks one of the most significant incidents involving U.S. forces in over a year of operations targeting Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.

The Incident

The F/A-18 Super Hornet, part of the “Red Rippers” Strike Fighter Squadron 11 based at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia, was mistakenly targeted by the USS Gettysburg, a guided-missile cruiser in the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group. According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the aircraft had just taken off from the Truman when the mishap occurred. The specific reasons for the misidentification remain unclear, as warships and aircraft within a battle group typically operate with tightly integrated radar and radio communication systems.

Escalating Risks in the Red Sea

The Red Sea has become increasingly perilous, with attacks on shipping by Houthi forces intensifying despite the presence of U.S. and European military coalitions. The Truman’s deployment to the region, announced on December 15, has coincided with a surge in hostilities. On Saturday night and into early Sunday, U.S. warplanes launched airstrikes against Houthi positions, targeting facilities in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, and the port city of Hodeida. These strikes aimed to neutralize a missile storage site and a command-and-control center, according to CENTCOM.

Houthi Threats and Retaliation

The Houthis, who have controlled Sanaa since 2014, acknowledged the downing of the U.S. aircraft and continued to claim responsibility for targeting merchant vessels and military ships. Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, Houthi forces have attacked nearly 100 ships using missiles and drones, often citing their opposition to Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The campaign has led to the seizure of one vessel, the sinking of two others, and the deaths of four sailors.

While the Houthis assert they target ships tied to Israel, the U.S., or the U.K., many attacked vessels have no clear links to the ongoing Gaza conflict. This indiscriminate approach has disrupted commercial shipping and heightened regional tensions. Moreover, the Houthis have escalated their attacks against Israel directly, prompting Israeli retaliatory airstrikes.

Wider Implications

The Red Sea corridor remains a critical maritime route, with escalating violence threatening global trade and regional stability. The U.S. Navy’s intensified operations, including airstrikes and naval patrols, underscore the gravity of the threat posed by Houthi forces. However, the friendly fire incident raises concerns about operational risks in such a volatile environment.

As CENTCOM continues its investigation into the shootdown, questions linger about the Gettysburg’s actions and the protocols in place to prevent such incidents. The event serves as a stark reminder of the complex and dangerous dynamics shaping the region.

Source

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