Drone Attack Halts Operations at Ramon International Airport
A reflection of jetliners can be seen against the glimmering exterior of the Ramon International Airport, situated just a stone’s throw from the popular southern Red Sea resort town of Eilat in Israel. Recently, the airport had to temporarily cease operations due to an unexpected incident. A drone, originating from Yemen, had targeted and struck the arrivals area, as revealed by the Airports Authority of Israel. As a result, a couple of individuals sustained injuries from flying debris.
Israel’s national ambulance service, Magen David Adom, stated that a man aged 63 and a woman aged 52 were on the receiving end of shrapnel injuries. Without delay, arrangements were made to transport these individuals to access urgent medical care. Meanwhile, operations at the airport were put on hold as various checks were carried out to ensure the safety and security of future passengers.
During the two-hour break in airport operations, the Israeli military initiated an intensive investigation into the drone crash. The attention was centered around a drone that crashed at the airport vicinity after being launched from Yemen. The airport management confirmed that the fallen drone landed inside the airport, precisely within the confines of the arrivals hall. The confirmation led to an increased focus on ensuring that the airport was safe for passengers.
Upon the successful completion of thorough security evaluations, international aviation standards checks and the receipt of final assent from the Air Force, the all-clear was given. Hence, Ramon International Airport reopened fully for incoming and outgoing traffic. The Airports Authority reassured the public with an official pronouncement, detailing the comprehensive checks performed and the subsequent resumption of airport activities.
In the not so distant future, the inaugural flight from Ramon to Ben Gurion Airport, situated near the metropolitan city of Tel Aviv, is projected to lift off. Both departures and arrivals at the aviation hub experienced a short standstill, pending the results of the in-depth investigation conducted by the military regarding the drone incident.
The Ramon International Airport, set alongside the azure waters of the Red Sea near Eilat, is a strategically placed facility. Sitting close to the borders of Jordan and Egypt, it is approximately 350 km (218 miles) from Israel’s bustling city of Tel Aviv. Typically, the airport manages domestic flight operations, serving as a critical link for internal transportation.
Two Israeli airline operators, Israir and Arkia, had already earmarked flights from Ramon International Airport for Sunday. Despite the unforeseen incident, these flights represent the ongoing resilience of the airport and its capacity to quickly return to normal operations. The airlines’ schedules were expected to coincide with the resumption of full service at the airport.
However, the drone attack represents broader geopolitical tensions. The Iran-backed Houthis, operating out of Yemen, have a history of firing drones and missiles towards Israel. These actions, as stated by the group themselves, are efforts to show solidarity with the Palestinians. In response, Israel has carried out bombing runs on Houthi-dominated areas of Yemen, which notably includes the strategically significant Hodeidah port.
If the attack on Ramon International Airport can be traced back to the Houthis, this will mark the first substantial act of aggression since late August. During that time, Israel conducted operations that resulted in the elimination of senior officials from the Houthis. The undercurrents of these events continue to pose challenges to the region’s stability.
In a previous episode of escalated tensions, the Houthis directed an assault near Israel’s primary airport, Ben Gurion, in May. That attack culminated in the injury of eight individuals. These aggressive acts serve to heighten the ongoing geopolitical strains in the region and underscore the persistent issue of security.
The Houthis, a group with substantial control over Yemen’s most densely populated regions, have not limited their aggressive strategies to Israeli soil. Of note, they have set their sights on the Red Sea itself, launching attacks on vessels traversing its waters. These maritime disruptions began in sync with the commencement of war in Gaza in October 2023.