What's happened
A drone launched by Yemen's Houthis struck Ramon Airport near Eilat, Israel, causing minor injuries and airport delays. The attack marks an escalation amid ongoing conflict, with the Houthis targeting Israeli airspace following increased hostilities since October 2023.
What's behind the headline?
The recent drone strike at Ramon Airport signifies a significant escalation in the Houthi-Israeli conflict, demonstrating the reach of Yemen-backed forces into Israeli airspace. The attack underscores the increasing threat posed by the Houthis, who have launched at least 31 drones and 80 ballistic missiles since March 2025, often targeting key Israeli infrastructure. The incident also highlights the broader regional instability, with Yemen's conflict now directly impacting Israel's security. The Israeli military's interception efforts show resilience, but the failure to detect the drone indicates vulnerabilities in current defense systems. This escalation is likely to lead to intensified Israeli military actions in Yemen and possibly broader regional confrontations, further destabilizing the Middle East.
What the papers say
The New York Post reports that the drone attack caused minor injuries and airport delays, with footage showing damage and shrapnel injuries. The Times of Israel emphasizes the damage to Ramon Airport and the ongoing threat from Houthi drones, noting the attack's timing amid increased hostilities since Israel's Gaza operations. Al Jazeera highlights the Israeli military's interception efforts and the broader context of Yemen's attacks, including the Houthi slogan calling for 'Death to America, Death to Israel.' All sources agree that this attack marks a notable escalation, with Yemen-backed Houthis targeting Israel as part of their regional stance, and Israel responding with strikes in Yemen.
How we got here
Since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, the Houthis in Yemen have intensified attacks on Israel, including drones and missiles. They have expressed solidarity with Hamas and targeted Israeli infrastructure, including airports, as part of their broader regional stance. Israel has responded with strikes in Yemen, escalating the conflict further.
Go deeper
Common question
-
What is the latest escalation in the Middle East conflict involving Houthi drone attacks?
Recent events in the Middle East have seen a significant increase in hostilities, particularly with Yemen's Houthis launching drone attacks targeting Israeli airspace. The attack on Ramon Airport near Eilat marks a notable escalation, raising questions about regional security and the responses from Israel and neighboring countries. Below, we explore the key details and what this means for the ongoing conflict.
-
How Are Drone Attacks Changing Regional Security?
Recent drone attacks, like the Houthi strike near Israel, are reshaping how countries think about security and conflict. These new threats are raising questions about regional stability, defense strategies, and the risk of wider conflicts. Below, we explore the impact of drone warfare and what it means for the future of security in volatile regions.
More on these topics
-
Ramon Airport (Hebrew: נמל התעופה רמון) (IATA: ETM, ICAO: LLER), named after Ilan and Assaf Ramon and unofficially also known as Eilat-Ramon Airport, is an international airport located in the Timna Valley in southern Israel. Ramon Airport is
-
Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.