On May 5, 2025, Israel and the United States executed coordinated airstrikes targeting Houthi positions in Yemen. This action followed a ballistic missile attack by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, which injured six individuals and disrupted international flights.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) deployed approximately 20 fighter jets, releasing 50 munitions on multiple Houthi targets, including the strategic port city of Hodeidah and a concrete factory in Bajil. These sites were identified as critical components of the Houthis’ military infrastructure, facilitating Iranian arms transfers and the construction of underground tunnels.
This operation marks the sixth Israeli airstrike on Houthi positions since July 2024 and the first under President Donald Trump’s current term. The United States, while not directly participating in this specific Israeli mission, conducted separate strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, earlier the same day.
The Houthi missile attack on Ben Gurion Airport represented a significant escalation, being the first such strike to impact the airport’s vicinity during the ongoing conflict. The IDF attributed the failure to intercept the missile to a technical malfunction, noting that their defense systems typically maintain a high success rate against such threats.
In response to the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the nation’s commitment to defending its citizens and holding Iran accountable for its support of Houthi aggression. The IDF stated that the strikes aimed to degrade the Houthis’ economic and military capabilities, thereby reducing their capacity to launch further attacks.
The United States has also intensified its military campaign against the Houthis, targeting over 800 sites since March 2025. According to U.S. Central Command, these operations have resulted in a significant reduction in Houthi ballistic missile launches and drone attacks.
