Yemeni Houthi rebels launch missile, causing proximity to Israel's primary airport.

Missile Strike at Ben Gurion Airport:

A missile fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels exploded near Israel's main international airport, Ben Gurion, on a typical Sunday, sending a cloud of smoke billowing into the air and causing alarm among airport passengers. The rebels, backed by Iran, have been ramping up their attacks on Israel, aiming to stand with Palestinians in Gaza.

A senior Israeli police commander, Yair Hetzroni, led reporters to the crater caused by the missile impact, which airport officials claimed had landed beside a Terminal 3 parking lot road. Hetzroni described the scene, stating, "You can witness the hole that opened up, with a diameter and depth of tens of meters." Despite the explosion, there was minimal damage reported.

Following the strike, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz reaffirmed a long-standing threat, saying, "Whoever harms us will experience seven times the harm." Sirens blared in central Israel, including the major city of Tel Aviv, before the missile hit.

A Reuters journalist present at the airport, situated between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, heard the sirens and watched as passengers rushed towards safe rooms. Several people at the airport captured videos of a black smoke plume evident nearby, behind parked aircraft and airport buildings. While Reuters has not verified these videos, they show panic and uncertainty.

Eight individuals were taken to the hospital, including a man with limb injuries, two women with head injuries, and five others with minor injuries. The Israel Airports Authority spokesperson affirmed that operations had returned to normal, and takeoffs and landings had resumed. However, the attack disrupted some flight schedules, leading to cancellations and delays.

The Houthis, who claimed responsibility for the strike, reiterated a warning to airlines that Ben Gurion Airport was "no longer safe for air travel." This assertion brings to mind the large-scale US strikes against the rebels in March, which Israeli officials have launched in response to increased attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

The Houthi attacks on Israel and Red Sea shipping started during the early days of the war between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip, straining relations in the region. The deadly conflict between Hamas and Israel, triggered by Hamas-led attacks on Southern Israel in October 2023, resulted in a loss of over 1,200 lives and 251 hostages. The Israel offensive on Gaza has claimed over 50,000 Palestinian lives and significantly damaged the coastal enclave.

The Houthi pledge for expanding their targets in Israel reflects their alliance with anti-Israel coalitions and domestic strategic objectives, potentially igniting broader regional conflict. The most formidable recent attack occurred on May 4, 2025, when a hypersonic ballistic missile struck near Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, causing injuries and damaging infrastructure, as well as forcing a temporary halt to flights and train services. Israel acknowledged its defense systems' failure to intercept the missile.

The missile fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, was a hypersonic ballistic missile, similar to the one that struck near Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport in May 2025.
In the general news and politics sections, discussions about the recent missile strike at Ben Gurion Airport have been prevalent, with someative about future threats and possible escalations.
The Israel Airports Authority spokesperson confirmed that despite the missile attack, operations at Ben Gurion Airport have resumed mildly, but with some flight disruptions due to the incident.
Qatar, known for its mediatory roles in war-and-conflicts, has not made any official comments regarding the Houthi attacks on Israel or on Ben Gurion Airport, yet.
In the sports section, the ongoing FIFA World Cup tournament in Qatar has been unaffected by the missile strike at Ben Gurion Airport, with fans and players continuing their celebrations and matches as scheduled.
Amidst the ongoing war-and-conflicts and tensions, Ira, a recent recruit in the Israeli Defense Forces, is keeping a close eye on her assignments, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis.