Smoke rises from Ramon Airport after a Houthi drone struck the terminal. (X Screenshot)
Houthi suicide drone strikes Israeli airport, injuring eight and forcing closure of airspace.
By World Israel News Staff
Israel’s second-largest civilian airport was hit and damaged in a drone strike carried out by Yemeni terrorists Sunday afternoon.
Members of the Iranian-backed Ansar Allah terror group, better known as the Houthis, launched at least four suicide drone aircraft toward Israeli territory Sunday afternoon, the IDF said.
According to an army spokesperson, initially only three of the four drones were detected and shot down, with two of the three intercepted before they entered Israeli airspace.
No siren was sounded for the fourth drone, which struck the Ilan and Asaf Ramon International Airport – located 11 miles north of the southern city of Eilat – after the army’s Home Front Command had given the all-clear following the three drone intercepts.
The IDF said it is unclear why the warning system was not sounded for the fourth drone attack, adding that the incident is under investigation.
The drone strike scored a direct hit on the airport’s passenger hall, damaging the air travel hub and forcing its evacuation.
Magen David Adom (MDA) said its teams treated eight people following the strike. Among them was a 63-year-old man who was fully conscious but sustained light shrapnel wounds to his limbs, and a 52-year-old woman who fell and suffered minor injuries.
Another group included two men, ages 63 and 28, and a 24-year-old woman, all lightly hurt and experiencing ringing in their ears as well as shock from the explosion.
Three additional individuals were also treated for shock.
Hezam al-Asad, a spokesman for the Houthis, said that the group is preparing additional, more significant attacks against Israel, without directly taking responsibility for Sunday’s strike.
“The real revenge hasn’t even started yet,” al-Asad posted on X. “What awaits you will be much harder.”
Following the attack, the IDF ordered the closure of the airspace around the airport, halting both departing and arriving flights.
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