Houthi rebels launch hypersonic missile at Israeli airport
The Houthi rebels, an armed movement based in Yemen, have claimed to have launched a hypersonic ballistic missile named "Palestine-2" at Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv. However, Israeli military sources indicate that the missile was successfully intercepted, causing no damage or casualties.
On July 29, 2025, the Houthi movement announced the attack, stating that it caused panic and temporarily halted airport operations. The official spokesperson for the Houthis, Yahya Saree, claimed the operation "successfully achieved its goal," emphasizing support for Palestinians.
However, Israeli military reports and third-party sources confirm that the missile launched from Yemen was intercepted by Israel's air defenses. Air raid sirens were triggered across Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, but no physical damage to the airport or surrounding infrastructure was reported.
It's worth noting that previous attempts by the Houthis to strike Ben Gurion Airport with similar missiles have also been intercepted, though a May 2025 missile strike caused a crater near Terminal 3 and injured civilians.
Independent verification of the Houthis' claim of a direct strike is lacking. The lack of confirmed damage and casualties supports the Israeli military's statement of successful interception.
The Houthis have not specified which maritime vessels or international companies they are targeting. Their threats are in response to military actions in Gaza and the West Bank. The Houthis have threatened to expand attacks on Israeli-linked maritime vessels, urging international companies to halt cooperation with Israeli ports.
The attack on Ben Gurion Airport serves as a warning to companies and vessels with ties to Israel. Representatives of the Houthi-affiliated "Ansar Allah" movement have stated that their armed forces will continue to target Israeli sites.
The Houthis have used multiple channels, including Al Masirah TV, to communicate their threats. The unique military operation using the "Palestine-2" type rocket could potentially disrupt international shipping and trade involving Israeli ports.
[1] The Times of Israel [2] Reuters [4] CNN [5] BBC News
- The event on July 29, 2025, in which the Houthi movement claimed to have launched a missile toward Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport amid ongoing tensions, was widely covered in international news outlets such as The Times of Israel, Reuters, CNN, and BBC News.
- The attack on Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport and the subsequent threats from the Houthis, renewing tensions in the war-and-conflicts region, have raised questions about the future of politics in the Middle East, with implications for general news and global security.
