A missile attack near Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport has ignited debate over the effectiveness of Israeli and US missile defense systems, after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) failed to intercept a hypersonic missile fired by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The incident, which forced a temporary halt to flights and train services at the country’s main airport, has drawn international attention to the growing threat posed by Iran’s advanced missile technology.
Journalist and Al Jazeera contributor Elijah J. Magnier commented on X, “It seems no US or Israeli interception missiles can stop the Iranian hypersonic technology”. His statement came after the IDF confirmed that multiple attempts to neutralize the incoming missile were unsuccessful, with the projectile landing within the airport’s perimeter and causing visible damage but no fatalities. Images from the scene showed debris scattered near the main terminal and a plume of black smoke rising from the impact site.
The Iranian-made Fattah-1 hypersonic missile, first unveiled in 2023, is designed to travel at speeds up to Mach 15 and can maneuver mid-flight, making it extremely difficult for even the most advanced defense systems to intercept. While Israeli officials have previously expressed confidence in their multi-layered defenses, the recent failure has raised questions about the ability to counter such high-speed threats.
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz responded to the attack with a vow of strong retaliation, stating, “Anyone who hits us, we will hit them seven times stronger”. The Houthis, meanwhile, have claimed responsibility for the strike and warned that Israeli airports are no longer safe for air travel.
As investigations continue into the interception failure, the incident highlights a new era of missile warfare in the region, with hypersonic technology posing unprecedented challenges for Israeli and US defense planners.
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