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DALLAS — Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) has experienced several missile and rocket attacks that have disrupted its operations during the ongoing regional conflict.
The recent May 4, 2025, attack is part of a pattern of similar incidents targeting Israel's main international airport from various locations in the region.
May 4, 2025, Houthi Missile Attack
The most recent incident occurred today, Sunday, May 4, 2025, when a ballistic missile launched by Houthi rebels from Yemen successfully impacted close to TLV. The rocket fell near the airport after "multiple attempts" to neutralize it were unsuccessful. This represents a significant security lapse at one of Israel's most heavily fortified locations.
Several people were reported wounded in this attack, with injuries described as moderate to light. The impact occurred in a field near an access road leading to airport parking lots, creating a deep crater and littering a nearby highway with dirt.
Video footage shared online showed a plume of black smoke rising from the explosion site near Terminal 3.
The attack caused the following disruption to airport operations:
- Flights were temporarily suspended for approximately one hour
- Road closures were implemented in the surrounding area
- Train services to and from the airport were halted
- Multiple international airlines canceled their flights to Israel
Following the incident, several carriers canceled services: Air India (AI) through May 6, Austrian Airlines (OS), Air Europa (UX), Brussels Airlines (SN), Delta Air Lines (DL), ITA Airways (AZ), the entire Lufthansa Group (LH), British Airways (BA), Air France (AF), Wizz Air (W6), Iberia Express (IB), and Ryanair (FR). However, Ethiopian Airlines (EY) announced it would continue operations to Israel as usual.
Ben Gurion Airport was fully reopened, but according to Radarbox and other flight tracking platforms, flights that were on their way to TLV had to turn back.
Previous Attacks Affecting TLV
March 20, 2025, Attack
On March 20, 2025, air traffic was disrupted at TLV as sirens sounded in central Israel following a rocket barrage from Gaza. Al Jazeera's Sanad verification unit found that at least six civilian flights were redirected during this incident.
Hamas' armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for firing rockets toward Tel Aviv in response to Israel's ongoing operations in Gaza. On the same day, Yemen's Houthis also launched a separate rocket toward the airport.
December 31, 2024, Attack
On December 31, 2024, Houthi forces launched missiles at Israel from Yemen, causing panic in TLV.
During this attack, video footage was captured when sirens sounded in Tel Aviv and TLV. The Iran-aligned armed group stated their attacks were in opposition to Israel's military operations in Gaza.
November 6, 2024, Attack
On November 6, 2024, a rocket fired from Lebanon impacted the TLV area in central Israel. This attack caused delays in landing and take-off operations at the airport before air activity returned to normal.
Israeli media published footage showing a rocket hitting a car in a parking lot in the Ra'anana area of Tel Aviv, though no injuries were reported. The Israeli army stated that 10 missiles were launched from Lebanon that day, triggering air-raid sirens in several areas across northern and central Israel.
Pattern of Attacks from Multiple Fronts
The attacks in close proximity to TLV come from multiple adversaries operating from different fronts around Israel:
Houthi Attacks from Yemen
The Houthi rebels in Yemen, backed by Iran, have consistently targeted Israel with ballistic missiles throughout the conflict.
The May 4, 202, incident marks a significant development as it represents the first occurrence of a missile successfully landing near Israel's primary international airport. In a video statement following the May 4 attack, Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed the group fired a hypersonic ballistic missile at the airport.
The attacks continue despite extensive U.S. military operations aimed at curtailing Houthi capabilities, highlighting the group's ongoing ability to hit distant targets. Defense Minister Israel Katz responded to the recent attack with a statement that Israel would "retaliate against anyone who assaults us sevenfold."
Rockets from Lebanon
The attacks from Lebanon, like the November 6, 2024, incident, occur amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.
Since October 2023, cross-border warfare has intensified, with Israel launching a ground assault into southern Lebanon on October 1, 2024. According to Lebanese health authorities, more than 3,000 people have been killed and over 13,500 injured in Israeli attacks since October 2023.
Hamas Rocket Attacks from Gaza
Hamas and other Palestinian groups have periodically launched rockets from Gaza toward central Israel, including Tel Aviv and the TLV area. These attacks are often claimed as responses to Israeli military operations in Gaza.
Impact on Airport Operations, Aviation
The repeated targeting of TLV has had significant implications for Israeli aviation and international connections:
- Frequent operational disruptions with flight delays, cancellations, and diversions
- Economic impacts on airlines and Israeli tourism
- Increased security concerns for international carriers serving Tel Aviv
- Periodic isolation of Israel from international air travel
Each attack triggers similar protocols: temporary airspace closure, diversion of inbound flights, cancellation of scheduled departures, and suspension of ground transportation links to the airport.
In related news this week regarding the airport, Turkish Airlines (TK) and Turkish low-cost carrier Pegasus (PC) both decided to relinquish their slots at TLV in Tel Aviv. Virgin Atlantic (VS) decided to discontinue all services between London and Tel Aviv, Israel.
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Featured image: CAAI
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