A drone launched by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels struck near Ramon International Airport in southern Israel on Sunday, prompting a temporary airspace closure and halting all flights, the Israeli military confirmed. The explosion injured one person and triggered a swift security response, with emergency services seen attending the scene as smoke billowed near the terminal.According to Israeli officials, multiple drones were intercepted outside the country’s airspace, but at least one breached defences and impacted close to Eilat. The strike follows a pattern of near-daily Houthi attacks on Israel since the escalation of regional hostilities.Sunday’s drone incident comes two weeks after Israel’s strike on Sanaa, the Houthi-held Yemeni capital, which killed the group’s prime minister Ahmed al-Rahawi. The Houthis have since vowed retaliation, launching missiles and cluster bombs, though few have caused significant damage.
The attack came shortly after the Israeli military reported intercepting three drones launched from Yemen.Meanwhile, in Gaza, Israel intensified its offensive on Gaza City, ordering mass evacuations ahead of an expected ground assault. Aid agencies have warned that the displacement of nearly one million residents, many of whom have already been forced to flee multiple times, will worsen what they describe as a “man-made famine.”The Israeli military claimed Hamas operates within civilian areas and targeted high-rise buildings allegedly used by militants. Hamas denied the allegations, asserting the towers were residential. Israeli bombardment has continued despite mounting international pressure. This is a developing story. Details to follow…
