The Air Force had intercepted three previous drone attacks originating from Yemen
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Southern Israel was the target of an unusual attack this Sunday when a drone launched from Yemen struck the passenger hall of Ramon International Airport, north of Eilat.
The attack left five people injured by shrapnel and three others affected by panic attacks, according to authorities.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) immediately closed the airport's airspace, which reopened a few hours later. A military spokesperson reported that the Air Force intercepted three drones throughout the day, two of them before they entered Israeli airspace.
Sirens sounded in communities near the border with Egypt, but the incident was declared over less than ten minutes later.
Houthi terrorists
The attack caused frustration among regional leaders. Eran Doron, head of the Ramat Negev Regional Council, described the situation as an "unacceptable reality." "I hope that heads of state understand that the Nitzana area is threatened daily, and work to strengthen settlement in this region," he stated.
Ramon Airport, inaugurated in 2019 and designed to handle up to 2 million passengers annually, is Israel's second international gateway after Ben Gurion. Until now, it had managed to remain operational despite threats from groups supported by Iran. Sunday's impact demonstrates that Israeli civil infrastructure remains at risk.
Since March, Yemen's Houthi terrorists, backed by Tehran, have intensified their offensive against Israel, launching more than 70 ballistic missiles and 23 drones. In addition, they have attacked more than a hundred ships in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which has practically paralyzed activity at the port of Eilat.
The attack comes as Israel is still dealing with the consequences of October 7, 2023, when Hamas killed more than 1,200 people and kidnapped 252. Of the 48 hostages still in Gaza, an estimated 20 remain alive.
Despite the threat, Ramon Airport quickly resumed operations, in an attempt to send a message of resilience.
