Houthi missile attack near Ben Gurion Airport, Israeli air defenses failed، eight injured

Report By Safarti Tarjuman International Desk

A missile fired by Yemeni Houthi forces hit the ground near Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport after Israeli air defenses failed to intercept the projectile, injuring eight people and causing panic among locals.

According to Israeli security officials, the missile caused extensive damage to the airport’s critical infrastructure, landing about 200 meters from the main terminal area. Emergency responders confirmed that eight people were injured in the explosion, two of them in critical condition.

The Yemeni-based and Iran-aligned Houthi group claimed responsibility for the attack through its media channels, saying it was a retaliatory strike in solidarity with the Palestinians amid ongoing regional tensions.

Eyewitnesses reported a sudden explosion near the airport’s facilities, prompting immediate evacuations and the suspension of outbound flights for more than an hour. Officials said no aircraft were hit, and the airport partially resumed operations after security cleared the area.

The incident marked the first time a long-range Houthi missile had successfully violated Israeli airspace without being intercepted, raising concerns about the effectiveness of existing defenses against missile threats.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held an emergency security briefing and reacted strongly, saying, “Any attack on our civilian infrastructure will be met with a swift and forceful response.”

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are investigating how the missile penetrated air defenses, particularly the Iron Dome and David’s Sling systems, which were both active in the region at the time of the launch.

Security has been tightened at all major Israeli airports and military installations following the attack. According to emergency officials, the injured victims are being treated at nearby hospitals, and none are airport employees.