Deadly missile strike hits Tel Aviv: 2 Israeli soldiers killed

A powerful hypersonic missile launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels struck near Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv on May 4, 2025, resulting in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers and injuring several others. The attack has significantly escalated tensions in the Middle East, reports Reuters.

The missile landed beside a road near Terminal 3, creating a large crater but causing no significant damage to the terminal itself. Eight people were injured, and operations at the airport were temporarily disrupted, with several flights canceled or delayed. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, stating it was in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. This strike marks a significant escalation in Houthi attacks on Israel, part of a broader regional conflict tied to the ongoing Gaza war.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) admitted that their air defense systems failed to intercept the incoming ballistic missile. An investigation into the failure has already begun. An IDF spokesperson confirmed the deaths of two soldiers and injuries to others, adding that security and rescue teams are active at the site.

Although the Houthis have not officially claimed responsibility, the IDF stated that hypersonic missile attacks were also launched the same day on a U.S. warship in the Red Sea and several Israeli military facilities.

Military analysts say this attack could signal a turning point in regional warfare. Israel’s advanced air defense systems, like the Iron Dome and David’s Sling, are not fully equipped to intercept hypersonic missiles, which travel at speeds exceeding five times the speed of sound.

Ben Gurion Airport is considered a strategic asset for Israel, both militarily and economically. A direct hit on such a vital location raises serious concerns about national security and signals a broader regional crisis potentially involving Yemen, Lebanon, Iran, and others.

Western powers including the U.S., Jordan, Egypt, and European nations have expressed growing concern over the destabilization of the region.

Since November 2023, the Houthis have launched multiple attacks on ships linked to Israel and its allies in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, targeting vessels in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden. Although a temporary ceasefire was declared in Gaza this January, hostilities resumed after recent Israeli offensives.

In response, the U.S. and Israel have launched repeated airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen. Houthi sources report that since March 15, the U.S. has conducted over 1,200 airstrikes, resulting in more than 1,500 casualties.