Missile hits Israel airport port in attack attributed by Yemen’s Huthis

A missile launched from Yemen impacted near Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel on Sunday, May 4, briefly disrupting air traffic and eliciting a strong warning of retaliation from Israeli officials. 

This incident, part of a series of attacks by Yemen’s Huthi rebels, raised concerns as air raid sirens sounded across various regions, with explosions reported in ‘Jerusalem ‘ and Tel Aviv. 

Police confirmed a missile strike near the airport, while the military indicated that attempts were made to intercept the projectile.

The resulting crater, described by central district police chief Yair Hezroni as being several dozen meters wide and deep, was located in an orchard close to the airport, underscoring the threat to Israel’s primary air travel hub. 

Although the attack caused temporary travel disruptions, the airport authority quickly announced that operations had resumed. In response, Defence Minister Israel Katz pledged a “significant retaliation” emphasizing a commitment to respond forcefully to any aggression. 

The Huthi rebels, who are supported by Iran and control substantial areas of Yemen, have a history of ‘targeting Israel ‘ and commercial vessels in the Red Sea amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. While no group has officially claimed responsibility for this missile strike, it follows a pattern of recent Huthi attacks, including multiple missile launches over the weekend.

Since the onset of the Gaza war in 2023, Israeli air defenses have successfully intercepted most missiles launched by the Huthis.

 Following a two-month ceasefire in Gaza, the rebels resumed their threats in March, specifically targeting international shipping in response to Israel’s blockade of aid. This escalation led to a robust reaction from the United States, which began conducting near-daily airstrikes on Huthi positions starting March 15 to safeguard shipping routes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. 

The military campaign, initiated by President Joe Biden, has seen increased intensity under his successor, Donald Trump, with U.S. forces reportedly striking over 1,000 targets in Yemen since mid-March.