A drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck Ramon International Airport in southern Israel on March 10, 2024, marking a notable breach in the country’s air defense systems. Footage aired on Israeli television shows thick black smoke rising from the airport, located near Eilat at the top of the Gulf of Aqaba. Israel confirmed multiple drones were launched, with some intercepted before they could enter its airspace.
According to Israel’s paramedic service, Magen David Adom, a 63-year-old man sustained shrapnel injuries from the attack, while a 52-year-old woman required treatment after falling during the chaos. The incident prompted the closure of airspace in southern Israel, halting all take-offs and landings at the airport as officials worked to restore normal operations.
This drone attack was the fourth launched by the Houthis within an hour, illustrating their increasing capability and resolve. The Israeli military noted that warning sirens did not activate prior to the incident, and an investigation is ongoing to understand the failures in the defense response.
The Houthi movement has a history of launching aerial assaults against Israel, often justifying these actions as solidarity with Hamas and the people of Gaza. The group has vowed to continue its offensive despite recent Israeli airstrikes targeting its leadership in Yemen. The latest attack comes only two weeks after an Israeli strike in Sanaa, the rebel-held capital, killed Ahmed al-Rahawi, the Houthi prime minister, among others.
In a concerning precedent, a Houthi missile successfully penetrated Israel’s advanced air defense systems in May 2023, impacting an area within the Ben Gurion Airport compound near Tel Aviv. Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz recently issued a stark warning on social media, stating, “The Houthis are firing missiles at Israel again.” He alluded to a biblical response, referencing plagues in response to the recent attacks.
Earlier on the day of the drone strike, the Israeli military reported detecting three Houthi drones heading towards the country. The air force intercepted two before they could breach Israeli airspace and shot down a third immediately after it crossed the border.
As tensions escalate, the implications of this incident extend beyond immediate casualties. It raises questions about the effectiveness of Israel’s air defense systems and the ongoing conflict dynamics in the region. The Houthis maintain their stance against Israeli actions, asserting that the recent airstrikes will not deter their military campaigns.
