Houthi Missile Hits Israel's Main Airport: A Wake-Up Call for Defense Systems

A missile fired by the Houthi rebels in Yemen struck near Israel's main airport on Sunday. This event exposed gaps in Israel's defense systems despite ongoing efforts by the US to weaken the Houthi group. Flights at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv were suspended for about 30 minutes. This happened after several failed attempts to intercept the incoming missile. The Israeli military used their long-range Arrow interceptor, but it was not successful. The US also has an advanced THAAD anti-missile system in Israel, but it too failed to stop the missile. The Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, took responsibility for the attack. They claimed it was a response to what they call Israel's "crimes of genocide" against the people of Gaza. This strike was the first time the Houthi group successfully targeted Israel's international airport. The Houthi spokesperson, Yahya Saree, stated that the airport was hit with a "hypersonic ballistic missile. " This claim raises questions about the effectiveness of Israel's missile defense systems. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed a strong response, stating that Israel will retaliate against any attack sevenfold. This incident is a major security breach at one of Israel's most protected sites. It will likely lead to discussions about Israel's ability to intercept such attacks. Trains to and from the airport were also halted, and police advised the public to stay away from the area. Pictures from the scene showed debris from the missile impact, littering the road toward the main terminal. The missile's accuracy and ability to penetrate Israel's air defenses are concerning. Amir Bar Shalom, a military affairs analyst for Israel’s Army Radio, noted that the missile's precision from such a long distance is impressive. He emphasized the need to take this threat seriously and analyze all aspects of the failed interception. This includes when sensors detected the missile, which systems identified it, and how close interceptors came to stopping it. The Houthi group has been launching missiles toward Israel for several days. They claim their hypersonic missiles have advanced technology, including stealth capabilities and high maneuverability. The Palestinian militant group Hamas praised the attack, calling Yemen a partner in defiance against oppression. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions and the challenges faced by Israel's defense systems in protecting its citizens and infrastructure.