Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
A Houthi drone strike targeting southern Israel has caused damage and injuries at Ramon Airport near Eilat, marking one of the most significant cross-border attacks by the Yemeni-based group in recent months. The strike, which reportedly hit the airport’s arrivals hall, has raised alarm within Israeli security circles, exposing vulnerabilities in the country’s aerial defense systems.
Details of the Attack
According to Israel’s Airports Authority, a drone launched from Yemen struck the arrivals terminal at Ramon Airport in the Negev desert, prompting an immediate shutdown of the airspace over the region and suspension of all flights. Emergency and firefighting teams were dispatched to the site.
Two people were injured in the attack, according to Israeli media, with both victims transported to Yoseftal Medical Center in Eilat for treatment. Emergency medical services said one of the injured suffered moderate injuries to his limbs.
Israel’s public broadcaster Kan and Israel Hayom confirmed the strike, while Channel 12 reported that four drones were launched from Yemen on the same day. Three were intercepted by Israeli air defenses, but the fourth breached the system and struck near the airport.
Admitted Failures in Detection and Response
An initial military investigation cited by Israel Army Radio revealed that the drone which struck the terminal had not been detected before impact. The report described “serious failures” in detection and interception, prompting the Israeli Air Force to launch a full internal review.
This breach has intensified concerns over the resilience of Israel’s defense systems, particularly in the south, where Houthi attacks have been increasing in both frequency and sophistication.
Local Concerns and Strategic Implications
The mayor of Eilat voiced deep concern over the attack, stating that the drone strike occurred “without any prior warning,” highlighting a growing sense of vulnerability in the region. He also warned that the Houthi threat remains active, especially following recent Israeli operations deep inside Yemeni territory.
“These attacks show that despite operations carried out by the army in Yemen, the Houthis have not forgotten Eilat,” he said. “Our port is paralyzed, and we continue to face a serious threat.”
Escalating Houthi Activity
The latest attack is part of a broader escalation by Yemen’s Houthi movement, known formally as Ansar Allah. Since the targeted assassination of several senior Houthi commanders in Sanaa days ago, the group has stepped up its military campaign against Israel.
According to Israeli Army Radio, the Houthis have launched eight ballistic missiles and seven drones at Israel since the assassinations. IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee confirmed that three additional drones were intercepted on the same day as the Ramon Airport strike.
The precision and depth of the attack underscore the strategic reach of the Houthis and the continuing expansion of Iran’s proxy network across the region.
Iranian Strike Footage Released in Haifa
In a separate development, Israeli military censors have for the first time permitted the release of footage showing the aftermath of an Iranian missile strike on a government-linked office tower in Haifa, northern Israel. The strike, which occurred over two months ago, caused significant structural damage to the building and collateral damage to nearby offices and facilities.
The long delay in releasing the footage reflects the sensitivity and severity of the Iranian strike, which targeted one of Israel’s key civilian and administrative hubs.
Netanyahu: “Strong Blows to Iran’s Axis”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the ongoing military campaign during a press briefing, highlighting the intensification of operations in Gaza and beyond.
“Our forces are expanding operations around and inside Gaza City, targeting elite Hamas units that were involved in the October 7th attack,” Netanyahu said. He noted that over 100,000 civilians have evacuated Gaza City, despite what he described as efforts by Hamas to prevent their departure.
Netanyahu framed the campaign within the broader regional conflict, stating, “We have delivered powerful blows to Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis and the strongest blow was against Iran.”
The Israeli premier acknowledged the diplomatic costs of prolonged military engagement but emphasized that Israel would press forward until it achieves all of its strategic goals.
The drone strike on Ramon Airport signals a worrying escalation in the regional conflict and highlights Israel’s ongoing struggle to counter increasingly long-range and precise attacks from Iranian-aligned groups. As the conflict stretches beyond Gaza into the broader Middle East theater, Israel now faces growing pressure to both bolster its defenses and recalibrate its military strategy amid a complex and evolving threat landscape.
