Houthi Missile Intercepted Over Israel and Air Traffic Halted - "Arrow 3" Intercepts Missile

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by Ifi Reporter - Dan Bielski Category:Government May 15, 2025

A Houthi missile launched from Yemen toward Israel was intercepted Thursday evening by the Arrow 3 missile defense system, triggering air raid alerts across dozens of communities in the central region, the Sharon, the Shephelah, and Judea and Samaria. The launch temporarily suspended landings and takeoffs at Ben Gurion Airport and caused widespread public disruption during Lag BaOmer festivities.

According to Magen David Adom (MDA), no physical injuries were reported, although several people required treatment for panic attacks and minor injuries sustained en route to shelters.

Missile Interception Halts Airport Operations

The launch occurred as tens of thousands of Israelis were enjoying the beginning of the weekend and participating in Lag BaOmer bonfire celebrations.

As alarms sounded, Ben Gurion Airport suspended all flight operations. Several inbound flights—including those operated by Georgian Airways, Flylili (Romania), and KlasJetwere temporarily delayed. The interception fragments reportedly fell in Alon Shvut in the Gush Etzion area.

"We don’t have shelters—this is a caravan neighborhood," said Matan Fingerhut, a resident of Givat Ha’ish in Alon Shvut. "We had just finished our bonfire with the kids. The missile fell 100 meters from our house. It’s a shock. One missile set off alarms across half the country, and it nearly hit our little hill. We need protected spaces here."

Concerts Disrupted Mid-Performance

Public events were also interrupted. At a Revivo Project concert in Or Yehuda, the audience was instructed to lie on the ground during the alarm. In Tel Aviv, a performance by rapper Peled at the amphitheater was paused in anticipation of the incoming missile, thanks to early warning from the Home Front Command.

Houthi Threats Intensify

The attack followed two warnings issued by Israel this week, threatening to strike ports in Yemen if the Houthi missile attacks did not cease. While no retaliatory strikes have yet occurred, Houthi military spokesperson Nasr al-Din Amer posted a defiant message on X (formerly Twitter):

This entity [Israel] will not feel any calm as long as the attacks and siege on Gaza continue… Yemen will continue to exert military pressure on the Zionist enemy… We will escalate, with the help of Allah.”

Meanwhile, the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, affiliated with Hezbollah, reported that Houthi leaders believe their attacks are effectively pressuring Israel and may accelerate an end to the war in Gaza.

Targeting Ben Gurion Airport

A military source in Sanaa told Al-Akhbar that the Houthi goal is to intensify operations targeting Ben Gurion Airport to shut down air traffic, similar to their success in blocking access to Eilat's seaport. The source claimed future attacks will use drones and missiles aimed at disrupting landings and takeoffs at Israel’s international hub.

The recent attacks against Ben Gurion sent a clear message,” the source said. “We intend to escalate until a total flight ban is enforced.”

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