Houthi Forces Launch 5th Missile Attack on Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport: Details on the Weapon Used
In May 2025, Yemen’s Houthi rebels launches a significant missile attack on Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport, marking a notable escalation in regional tensions. This incident underscores the growing missiles capabilities of the Houthis and raises concerns about the effectiveness of missile defence systems in the region.
Details of the Attack on Ben Gurion Airport:
According to official reports, the Houthis targeted Terminal 3 of Ben Gurion Airport with a ballistic missile. The explosion created a large crater and damaged airport infrastructure. Eight civilians were injured, and flights were temporarily suspended. The attack represents the farthest strike launched by the Houthis in the ongoing conflict and demonstrated the expanding range of their ballistic missile arsenal.
Missile Used by the Houthis
The Houthis claimed they used two ballistic missile for this operation: Palestine-2 and Zulfiqar.
1. Palestine-2 Missile
- The Palestine-2 is believed to be a hypersonic ballistic missile developed with Iranian assistance.
- It can travel at speed above Mach 5, making it difficult for traditional defence systems to intercept.
- Estimated range: over 2,000 km, making it capable of reaching Israel from Houthi-controlled regions in Yemen.
- It is designed to strike with high precision and evade radar systems by flying at lower altitudes during the final phase.
2. Zulfiqar Missile
- An Iranian-made short-to medium-range ballistic missile used widely by Houthi forces.
- Estimated range: 700 to 1,000 km
- Equipped with high-explosive warheads.
- Know for its use in previous attacks across the Middle East.
Together, these missiles covered over 2,000 kilometres to strike Israeli territory, showing an advanced capability for long-range warfare.
How Houthis Breached Israel’s Defence System:
Israel is known for its multi-layered defence network, including the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and the Arrow system. These systems are designed to intercept various threats, from short-range rockets to long-range ballistic missiles.
Iron Dome Overview:
- Developed by Rafael Advanced Defence System, the Iron Dome is designed to intercept short-range rockets and artillery shells.
- It uses radar to track incoming threats and fires interceptor missiles to neutralize them mid-air.
- Iron Dome has an estimated success rate of over 90%, but it is primarily effective against short-range, non-hypersonic threats.
Why Iron Dome Failed
The Palestine-2’s hypersonic speed and advanced guidance systems helped it avoid detection by Iron Dome and even higher-tier systems like Arrow-3 and THAAD (deployed by the U.S. in Israel). The missile’s high speed and unpredictable flight path overwhelmed the defence response time.
Current Status After the Attack:
- British Airways suspended flights to Tel Aviv until at least July 31, 2025.
- Israel increased air defence alerts and began reviewing its radar systems and interception protocols.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of severe retaliation against the Houthis and their Iranian allies.
- Multiple additional missiles were launched by the Houthis in the days following, most of which were successfully intercepted.
Conclusion
The Houthi ballistic missile attack on Ben Gurion Airport highlights the changing dynamics of warfare in the Middle East. The use of advanced long-range and hypersonic missiles like Palestine-2 and Zulfiqar shows how non-state actors are increasing their capabilities. The incident also exposed gaps in even the most sophisticated air defence system like Israel’s Iron Dome. As tensions rise, this attack may mark the beginning of a new chapter in the regional conflict.