In a powerful show of defiance and unwavering solidarity with the people of Gaza, Yemen’s Ansar Allah-led armed forces—widely known as the Houthis—have declared a comprehensive aerial blockade on Israel. This bold step, announced on Sunday, May 4, 2025, marks a significant turning point in the region’s response to Israel’s relentless bombardment of Gaza. The Houthis, who have consistently voiced support for the Palestinian cause, vowed to enforce this blockade by targeting Israeli airspace and, most notably, Israeli airports.
Just hours after the announcement, a ballistic missile launched by Houthi forces struck near Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv—the busiest and most fortified airport in Israel. This unprecedented strike stunned many, not only for its proximity to a critical civilian infrastructure but also for the missile’s apparent ability to bypass Israel’s advanced defense systems, including the U.S.-supplied THAAD and Israel’s own Arrow system. The missile created a large crater near the airport perimeter, damaging roads and a vehicle, and sparking chaos among airline operators and passengers. Though Israel claims the airport remains operational, many international airlines have canceled or rerouted flights, heeding the Houthi warning that Ben Gurion is no longer safe.
The Houthis proudly claimed responsibility, declaring the weapon used was a “hypersonic ballistic missile”—an assertion that, if confirmed, signals a major leap in their military capabilities. Backed by Iran and increasingly self-reliant in arms production, the Houthis now possess an arsenal that includes long-range missiles, drones, and systems capable of evading the region’s most sophisticated defenses. Their firm message to the global community was unambiguous: cancel all flights to Israeli airports or risk the consequences. This is no longer symbolic resistance—this is strategic disruption.
Yemen’s stance has been widely praised across parts of the Muslim world, especially among those disillusioned by the silence or complicity of other states. At a time when Palestinian civilians face daily massacres, starvation, and displacement, Yemen’s direct military response has resonated deeply with those calling for action, not words. It is a reminder that resistance, in all its forms, is still possible—and still alive.
As regional tensions flare and the world watches, Yemen has positioned itself not as a passive onlooker, but as a fearless ally of the oppressed. Its actions have redrawn the lines of resistance—and no amount of retaliation can silence the ripple it has created in the hearts of those who still believe in justice.
