Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck Israel’s main international gateway on Sunday when a ballistic missile hit the perimeter of Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, wounding at least six people. The attack marks a dangerous escalation in the Iran-backed group’s campaign against Israel and exposes vulnerabilities in the country’s air defenses.

The missile struck a wooded area near an airport access road after evading multiple interception attempts by Israeli forces. Military officials confirmed the impact and announced an investigation into the defense system’s failure, raising urgent questions about protection capabilities for critical infrastructure.

A senior Houthi official claimed responsibility for the attack, declaring the group observes “no red lines” in its fight against Israel. The rebels have intensified long-range assaults on Israeli territory and Red Sea shipping lanes for months, aiming to pressure Israel over its Gaza military operations launched after Hamas’ October 2023 attack.

The failed interception comes amid heightened U.S. military action against Houthi targets in Yemen. President Trump recently ordered intensified strikes, warning of the group’s “complete annihilation” if attacks continue. British forces have joined the campaign, targeting Houthi-controlled facilities, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directly accused Iran of arming the rebels – a charge Tehran denies.

Russia has emerged as a vocal critic of Western military action, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov urging Washington to cease strikes during recent talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The diplomatic friction coincides with new U.S. sanctions targeting Iranian oil exports that fund regional proxies like the Houthis.