Drone Strike Hits Ramon Airport, Wounding Two Near Eilat
The Israeli military is investigating a drone strike that targeted the arrivals hall at Ramon Airport, located near the resort city of Eilat, on December 3, 2023. The drone is believed to have been launched from Yemen. Following the incident, airspace over the airport was closed, with the Israel Airports Authority confirming the closure but not providing immediate details on the reasons behind it.
In its statement, the Israeli military noted that the incident is under review, yet it did not clarify the extent of the damage or whether the drone was intercepted before impact. Earlier reports indicated that the Israeli air force had intercepted three drones originating from Yemen, with two being intercepted before they crossed into Israeli territory. The status of the third drone remains unclear.
According to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, citing rescue services, the drone strike resulted in two injuries. A 63-year-old man sustained injuries from shrapnel, while a 52-year-old woman was injured after falling during the chaos. Both individuals were evacuated to a hospital in Eilat, and additional medical attention was provided to others suffering panic attacks at the scene.
Investigation and Regional Context
Israeli Army Radio reported preliminary findings suggesting the drone may not have been detected by the air force’s detection systems, raising questions about the effectiveness of existing defenses. Ramon Airport primarily handles domestic flights and is situated close to the borders with Jordan and Egypt.
The drone strike aligns with a pattern of increasing aggression from the Houthis in Yemen, who have launched missiles and drones toward Israel in what they claim to be acts of solidarity with Palestinians amid ongoing conflict. Since the onset of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza in October 2023, the Houthis have also targeted vessels in the Red Sea.
There has been no immediate response from the Houthi leadership regarding the drone strike on Ramon Airport. Tensions have escalated in the region, with the Israeli military conducting strikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, including significant attacks on the Hodeidah port. Recently, Israeli airstrikes resulted in the deaths of senior Houthi officials, including the group’s prime minister.
In a related incident earlier this year, a Houthi missile struck near Ben Gurion International Airport in May, resulting in injuries to four individuals and prompting multiple airlines to cancel flights to Israel for months. Following that event, Israel targeted and destroyed the main airport in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa.
The situation remains fluid as investigations continue into the drone strike and its implications for security in the region.
As developments unfold, the impact on both civilian safety and regional stability will be closely monitored.
