A Houthi drone launched from Yemen evaded Israeli defenses and struck the arrivals hall at Ramon Airport in southern Israel on Sunday, causing minor injuries and a temporary shutdown, with air raid sirens failing to sound. The Israeli military is investigating the incident, which highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in the region’s security.
The attack occurred at approximately 2:35 p.m. local time, when the drone hit the airport near Eilat, shattering windows and covering the floor with glass debris. Video footage from the scene showed significant damage to the arrivals area, disrupting normal operations and forcing a swift evacuation.
Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency service, reported that two people were injured: a 63-year-old man sustained mild shrapnel wounds, and a 52-year-old woman was hurt in a fall during the chaos. Several others experienced anxiety but were not seriously harmed, and all received medical attention either on-site or at a hospital.
Israeli authorities stated that the drone was detected but not classified as hostile, which is why interception systems and sirens were not activated. An initial inquiry found no technical issues with detection systems, and a full investigation is underway to understand the classification error and prevent future occurrences.
The Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the attack, warning that all airports in Israel are unsafe and will be targeted continuously until Israel ends its military actions in Gaza. This statement is part of their broader campaign in solidarity with Palestinians, which has included attacks on Red Sea shipping and previous missile strikes.
This incident is part of an escalating conflict between Israel and the Houthis, with previous attacks including a ballistic missile strike near Tel Aviv’s airport in May that halted flights for weeks. Israel has retaliated with strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, killing senior leaders in recent weeks, intensifying the cycle of violence.
The airspace above Ramon Airport was closed for about 90 minutes after the attack but reopened after safety checks confirmed it was secure. However, the event raises concerns about the reliability of air travel to Israel, potentially deterring foreign airlines that had recently resumed flights, which could lead to increased prices and reduced options for passengers.
Israel is likely to continue its military response while reviewing and enhancing defense protocols. The situation underscores the persistent threat from Yemen-based groups and the challenges in securing against long-range drone and missile attacks in a volatile regional context.