Israel's Airstrikes on Yemen Escalate Tensions After Houthi Missile Hits Ben Gurion Airport

Israel's Airstrikes on Yemen

On May 5, 2025, Israel launched airstrikes on Yemen’s Hodeidah port, targeting Iran-backed Houthi infrastructure, in retaliation for a ballistic missile attack on Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport the previous day. The Houthi strike, which penetrated Israel’s advanced air defenses, exposed vulnerabilities and disrupted air traffic, injuring eight people. This escalation, rooted in the broader Gaza conflict, raises serious concerns about regional stability, humanitarian impacts, and potential violations of international law.

Sequence of Events: From Missile Strike to Retaliation

On May 4, 2025, a Houthi-launched ballistic missile struck near Ben Gurion Airport’s Terminal 3, creating a large crater, damaging a road and vehicle, and injuring eight Israelis, including two hurt while seeking shelter. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that both the U.S.-provided THAAD and Israel’s Arrow defense systems failed to intercept the missile, prompting an investigation into a “technical issue” with the interceptor. The attack, claimed by Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree as a hypersonic missile with stealth capabilities, led to a one-hour suspension of flights, with airlines like British Airways and Lufthansa canceling services. The New York Times reported the incident as a significant security breach at one of Israel’s most protected sites.

[](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/04/world/middleeast/houthi-missile-tel-aviv-israel.html)

In response, on May 5, approximately 20 Israeli fighter jets conducted airstrikes on Houthi targets in Hodeidah, dropping 50 munitions on the port and a nearby cement factory used for tunnel construction and military purposes. The IDF described the port as a hub for Iranian weapon transfers, while the cement factory supported Houthi military infrastructure. Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV confirmed multiple strikes, with at least 21 injuries reported. Israeli officials noted coordination with the U.S., though the operation was unilateral.

[](https://www.timesofisrael.com/20-israeli-fighter-jets-strike-in-yemen-after-houthi-missile-hits-ben-gurion-airport/)

Context: Houthi Attacks and the Gaza Conflict

The Houthi missile attack is part of a broader campaign against Israel, initiated in solidarity with Palestinians since the Gaza war began on October 7, 2023. The Houthis, controlling much of northern Yemen, have launched over 100 attacks, including missiles and drones, targeting Israel and Red Sea shipping. Most were intercepted, but the May 4 strike marked a rare penetration of Israel’s defenses, highlighting the group’s growing capabilities, possibly enhanced by Iranian technology.

[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Houthi_attack_on_Tel_Aviv_airport)

Israel’s airstrikes follow a pattern of retaliation, with prior strikes on Yemen in 2024 targeting Houthi infrastructure. However, since March 2025, Israel had largely deferred to U.S.-led campaigns against the Houthis, which included over 1,000 strikes costing nearly $1 billion. The Ben Gurion attack prompted a policy shift, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to target both the Houthis and their “Iranian terror masters” at a time and place of Israel’s choosing. Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed this, threatening a “sevenfold” response, invoking biblical imagery.

[](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/04/netanyahu-yemen-houthis-attack-israel-ben-gurion-airport)

Implications for Regional Stability

This tit-for-tat escalation threatens Middle East stability. The Houthi attack, timed hours before Israel’s security cabinet voted to expand Gaza operations, suggests a strategic intent to disrupt Israeli decision-making. Conversely, Israel’s strikes on Hodeidah, a critical aid entry point, risk exacerbating Yemen’s humanitarian crisis, where 18 million people need assistance. The UN has warned that attacks on civilian infrastructure like ports could paralyze aid delivery, potentially increasing malnutrition and displacement.

[](https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/whatsinblue/2024/12/briefing-on-developments-related-to-houthi-attacks-on-israel.php)

Geopolitically, Netanyahu’s framing of the Houthis as an Iranian proxy escalates tensions with Tehran, especially amid calls from Israeli hardliners for strikes on Iran. The U.S., while continuing its anti-Houthi campaign, faces challenges in curbing the group’s resilience, as evidenced by their continued missile launches despite heavy bombardment. Social media posts reflect polarized sentiments, with some praising Houthi defiance and others condemning their attacks as terrorism.

International Law Concerns

Israel’s airstrikes on Hodeidah raise questions about compliance with international humanitarian law, given the port’s role in civilian aid. The UN Secretary-General has called such strikes “especially alarming,” citing risks to humanitarian operations. Conversely, the Houthis’ targeting of civilian infrastructure like Ben Gurion Airport violates principles of distinction and proportionality. Both sides’ actions could be scrutinized by international bodies, though enforcement remains challenging in this polarized conflict.

[](https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/whatsinblue/2024/12/briefing-on-developments-related-to-houthi-attacks-on-israel.php)

The failure of Israel’s defense systems, despite U.S. support, may also prompt allied reassessments of military aid and technology sharing. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Israel criticized the escalation, urging focus on freeing 59 remaining Gaza hostages, highlighting domestic tensions over military priorities.

[](https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-may-04-2025/)

Key Details of the Conflict

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why did the Houthis attack Ben Gurion Airport?

The Houthis claimed the attack was in solidarity with Palestinians, protesting Israel’s Gaza operations, which have killed over 52,000 people since October 2023.

[](https://www.npr.org/2025/05/04/g-s1-64233/houthi-missile-halts-israel-flights)

What prompted Israel’s airstrikes on Yemen?

Israel retaliated after the Houthi missile struck Ben Gurion Airport, aiming to disrupt Houthi military capabilities and signal deterrence to Iran.

[](https://www.timesofisrael.com/20-israeli-fighter-jets-strike-in-yemen-after-houthi-missile-hits-ben-gurion-airport/)

How does this affect regional stability?

The escalation risks broader conflict, involving Iran and the U.S., and threatens Yemen’s humanitarian situation by targeting aid-critical infrastructure.

[](https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/whatsinblue/2024/12/briefing-on-developments-related-to-houthi-attacks-on-israel.php)

Are the airstrikes legal under international law?

Strikes on civilian infrastructure like Hodeidah port may violate international humanitarian law, as could Houthi attacks on civilian airports, pending further investigation.

[](https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/whatsinblue/2024/12/briefing-on-developments-related-to-houthi-attacks-on-israel.php)

Conclusion

Israel’s airstrikes on Hodeidah on May 5, 2025, following the Houthi missile attack on Ben Gurion Airport, mark a significant escalation in the Middle East conflict. The failure of Israel’s defenses and the targeting of civilian infrastructure highlight vulnerabilities and legal controversies. With regional stability at risk and humanitarian impacts looming, diplomatic efforts are urgently needed to de-escalate and address the Gaza conflict’s ripple effects. Stakeholders should monitor developments closely, as further Houthi retaliation or Iranian involvement could reshape the geopolitical landscape.