Israel News for 5-5-2025
News Update
A missile fired by the Houthis struck a service road at Ben Gurion Airport yesterday due to a technical malfunction in an interceptor missile. The IDF said that the detection, operation of the defense systems and alert mechanisms functioned properly. The missile evaded both the Israeli Arrow 3 system and the American THAAD air defense system. Around 20 foreign airlines have suspended service for at least 72 hours. The airport resumed full operations within 30 minutes of the explosion. The Prime Minister said that Israel would respond forcefully at a time of its choosing.
Tens of thousands of reservists have been called-up as the security cabinet unanimously voted to expand the offensive in Gaza. A senior political official said the plan includes a military occupation of areas in the Strip, removal of the civilian population to the south to keep them safe, and preventing Hamas from controlling humanitarian aid distribution.
Israel has issued Hamas a deadline to reach a hostage deal, based on US envoy Witkoff’s framework, before the end of President Trump’s upcoming Middle East visit (May 13-16) or face a major offensive.
Captain Noam Ravid, aged 23, from Sha’arei Tikva, an officer in the Yahalom Unit, Combat Engineering Corps, and Staff Sergeant Yaly Seror, aged 20, from Omer, also from the Yahalom Unit, were killed during combat in Rafah, southern Gaza. Two other soldiers were injured.
An IDF internal investigation of the fighting on Zikim Beach on Oct. 7 has determined that a squad of 7 Golani soldiers defending the beach retreated or fled instead of engaging the 10 Hamas terrorists that came on shore. Due to their actions, terrorists killed 14 civilians who were hiding in a shelter on the beach. The soldiers also abandoned a vehicle that the terrorists then used to advance on the kibbutz. The kibbutz’s civilian rapid response team managed to fight off the terrorists and prevent them from entering the kibbutz. For more, click here.
