"Israel Destroys Sanaa Airport in Major Airstrikes After Houthi Missile Hits Ben Gurion Airport"
In a bold and dramatic escalation of the ongoing Israel-Houthi conflict, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched powerful airstrikes on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, that completely disabled Sanaa International Airport in Yemen’s capital. This came just two days after a missile fired by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels struck near Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport, injuring six people and causing mass panic among civilians and air travelers.
The missile attack near Tel Aviv triggered an immediate and large-scale military response by Israel, marking one of the most intense counterattacks in the history of the conflict between the two sides. This article explains everything you need to know about the growing tension, Israel’s latest strategy, and what it means for the Middle East region and beyond.
A Massive Military Response: What Happened in Yemen?
According to a statement from the Israeli military, dozens of Israeli fighter jets, refueling aircraft, and reconnaissance planes were involved in the Tuesday strikes. These aircraft targeted several key locations used by the Houthis, especially Sanaa International Airport. The IDF claimed the airport was being used by Houthi forces to transport weapons and personnel for terrorist operations. The strike reportedly destroyed the airport’s runways, control tower, parked aircraft, and operational infrastructure, leaving the facility completely disabled. A warning had been issued an hour before the attack, with Israeli Arabic-language spokesperson Col. Avichay Adraee urging civilians to evacuate the airport area immediately.
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| This handout photo shows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C), Defense Minister Israel Katz (L) and Brig. Gen. Omer Tischler, the IAF’s chief of staff, observing strikes on Houthi targets in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa, at the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv on May 6, 2025. |
This was not the only target hit by the Israeli Air Force. Several power stations near Sanaa were also bombed, as well as a major cement factory in the city of ‘Amran, which the military says the Houthis used to construct underground tunnels and military infrastructure. Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, personally oversaw the operation from a command bunker in Tel Aviv.
A Message to Iran: Israel Expands the Battlefield
The IDF’s campaign in Yemen is not just a response to Houthi missiles. It is also part of a broader strategic message aimed at Iran. In his official statement, Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized that Iran is responsible for enabling the Houthis’ growing military capacity. “Whoever attacks Israel — his blood will be on his own head,” Netanyahu warned, adding that Iran would bear full responsibility for any further escalation.
Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed this sentiment, saying, “We will hit them sevenfold,” referring to any enemy of Israel. He also referred to the Houthi rebels as a “tentacle” of the larger Iranian threat, calling Tehran the head of the “octopus” attacking Israel through proxies.
Civilian Casualties and International Reactions
While Israel claims the strikes were precise and targeted, reports from Houthi-controlled media and Yemeni sources paint a darker picture. At least three people were killed, and 38 others wounded in the airstrikes on Sanaa, according to Houthi officials. The United Nations and humanitarian organizations have expressed concerns about the potential for a humanitarian disaster in Yemen, where millions of people are already suffering from hunger, disease, and displacement due to the ongoing civil war.
The Houthis responded with anger, vowing revenge for the destruction of their airport and infrastructure. In an official statement, the group’s political bureau promised that “the aggression will not pass without a response,” and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Gaza in its war against Israel. The Houthis also accused both Israel and the United States of being behind the attack. However, American officials quickly denied any involvement, stating that the operation was carried out solely by Israel.
Why the Ben Gurion Missile Strike Changed Everything
Sunday’s missile strike on Ben Gurion International Airport marked a turning point in the Israel-Houthi confrontation. The missile, which landed in a grove of trees just hundreds of meters from Terminal 3, caused a large crater and injured six people. It was the first time a Houthi missile reached so close to Israel’s busiest airport, sending shockwaves across the country and prompting most international airlines to suspend flights to and from Tel Aviv.
Air raid sirens were heard across central Israel as the missile approached, and video footage showed drivers stopping on highways and taking cover. Though the missile did not strike a building, the fact that it reached such a critical infrastructure site highlighted a serious gap in Israel’s air defense system. The IDF later confirmed that it was investigating why the missile was not intercepted in time.
The Houthis’ Threat to Impose an Air Blockade on Israel
Following the Ben Gurion incident, the Houthi rebels announced that they intended to impose a full air blockade on Israel by repeatedly targeting Israeli airports. Their statement declared that “Ben Gurion Airport is no longer safe for air travel,” threatening additional missile attacks that could further disrupt Israel’s transportation network and economy.
This isn’t the first time the Houthis have targeted Israel. Since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023, the Houthis have launched over 40 ballistic missiles, dozens of drones, and several cruise missiles at Israel. Although most of these attacks were intercepted or fell short of their targets, some managed to cause real damage — including a deadly strike in Tel Aviv last July that killed one person and injured several others.
Why Did Israel Resume Strikes in Yemen Now?
Israel had previously paused its airstrikes in Yemen after the United States launched its own aerial campaign against the Houthis in March 2025. However, the missile attack on Ben Gurion Airport prompted Israeli leadership to resume direct operations against the group. The IDF has now carried out at least seven major strikes in Yemen since the beginning of the conflict.
In addition to Sanaa International Airport, Israeli warplanes have also targeted ports, factories, and military warehouses believed to be used by the Houthis. A previous strike in December 2024 even injured a UN humanitarian worker who was at the airport during the attack.
The Broader Regional Impact: Tensions in the Middle East
This latest escalation between Israel and the Houthis is part of a larger regional conflict involving Iran, Syria, Lebanon’s Hezbollah, and various Palestinian militant groups. The Houthis, who control large parts of northern Yemen, are seen as an important piece of Iran’s regional influence. Their involvement in the Israel-Gaza war complicates efforts by international diplomats to negotiate ceasefires or peace deals in the region.
Israel’s decision to strike back forcefully could push the region closer to a broader confrontation. Countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt have remained largely silent about the latest events, but they are closely watching the situation. If the conflict spreads beyond Gaza and Yemen, it could disrupt oil shipments, increase refugee flows, and trigger more violence in neighboring countries.
What Comes Next: More Missiles or Diplomacy?
As of now, the situation remains highly volatile. The Houthis are expected to retaliate in some form, possibly by launching more missiles at Israeli cities or infrastructure. Israel has vowed to continue its military campaign until the Houthis stop attacking and until Hamas in Gaza is neutralized. Prime Minister Netanyahu has made it clear that Israel will act independently if needed, even without direct US support.
Diplomatic efforts are ongoing behind the scenes. The United Nations, the United States, and other international actors are trying to mediate between the warring sides to prevent further escalation. However, with both Israel and the Houthis digging in their heels, a peaceful resolution may be far off.
A Dangerous New Chapter in the Middle East Conflict
The Israeli airstrikes that destroyed Sanaa’s airport mark a dramatic new chapter in the Middle East conflict. What began as a local war between Israel and Hamas has now pulled in regional players like the Houthis in Yemen and their Iranian backers. With airports, factories, and power stations becoming targets, the war has moved far beyond Gaza’s borders.
The threat of a broader regional war is real. Israel’s leadership has shown that it is willing to strike deep into enemy territory to protect its citizens and deter future attacks. At the same time, the Houthis have proven that they can threaten key Israeli infrastructure, forcing the country into a costly and dangerous multi-front war.
The coming weeks will be critical. Will diplomacy succeed in preventing further bloodshed, or will the missiles keep flying? Only time will tell — but for now, the skies over the Middle East remain tense, and the world watches closely.