Deadly Missile Strike Hits Tel Aviv: Two Israeli Soldiers Killed

A powerful hypersonic missile strike targeted Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, killing two Israeli soldiers and injuring several others. The attack was reportedly carried out by Yemen's Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, further escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Following the attack, all flights at the airport were immediately suspended, with many being cancelled or rerouted. The incident marks a significant breach of Israel's air defenses and has sparked widespread alarm.

According to international media outlets, including The Times of Israel, air raid sirens sounded across central Israel on Sunday morning. Shortly afterwards, it was confirmed that multiple missiles had been launched from Yemen, with at least one striking near the airport.

Videos circulating on social media show a massive plume of smoke rising from the airport area, indicating the explosion's impact.

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.