Tel Aviv: One of many drones launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck southern Israel on Sunday, hitting Ramon International Airport near the Red Sea city of Eilat and forcing authorities to temporarily close airspace in the region, the Associated Press reported, citing Israel Defence Forces (IDF).
According to the Israel Airports Authority, the drone impacted the airport’s passenger hall.
One person received a minor injury caused by shrapnel, Israel’s emergency service Magen David Adom said. The attack disrupted flights and underscored the growing threat posed by Houthi projectile strikes deep into Israeli territory.
Israel reported that multiple drones were launched from Yemen, with air defences intercepting several outside its borders.
However, at least one evaded interception and caused damage at Ramon Airport, which has been operational since 2019 and serves as a secondary hub to Israel’s main Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.
The Houthis quickly claimed responsibility. Nasruddin Amer, deputy head of the group’s media office, hailed the strike as “a unique, qualitative military operation.”
He warned foreigners against using Israeli airports, writing on social media, “Enemy airports are unsafe, and foreigners must leave them for their own safety. Other sensitive targets are under fire”.
The attack follows an Israeli strike on Sanaa that killed Ahmed al-Rahawi, prime minister of the Houthi administration, along with members of his cabinet two weeks ago.
He was the most senior Houthi figure killed in the joint Israeli-US campaign against the Iran-backed group.
Following his death, the Houthis vowed to intensify attacks on Israel and Red Sea shipping routes.
Recent barrages have included near-daily launches, often multiple times per day.
The group has also employed cluster munitions, which release smaller bomblets that complicate interception and increase the risk of successful strikes.
ISRAEL INTENSIFIES GAZA OFFENSIVE
Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to press ahead with operations in Gaza City despite mounting international concern.
Addressing his weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said, “Our effort in Gaza on the last strongholds, actually the last important stronghold, Gaza City, is part of our effort to complete the crushing of the Iranian axis’s chokehold.”
He claimed that more than 100,000 Palestinians had evacuated Gaza City ahead of the operation.
On the diplomatic front, ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas remain stalled.
Mediators from Egypt and Qatar have proposed a 60-day ceasefire, but Israel has yet to issue a formal response.
Currently, 48 hostages remain in Gaza, about 20 of whom Israel believes are still alive.
Militants abducted 251 people and killed around 1,200 during the October 7, 2023, assault that triggered the ongoing war. (IT)
