A drone launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels struck Ramon International Airport in southern Israel, marking a notable failure of the country's air defense systems. Footage aired on Israeli television and shared on social media showed thick black smoke rising from the airport, located near Eilat at the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba.

Israeli officials reported that the Houthis launched multiple drones, with some intercepted before reaching Israeli territory. The Israeli paramedic service, Magen David Adom, confirmed that a 63-year-old man was treated for shrapnel injuries, while a 52-year-old woman received care after falling during the incident.

This attack is seen as a significant setback for the Iran-backed Houthi group, which has faced recent Israeli strikes that killed 12 senior figures. The airport authority announced the closure of airspace in southern Israel, halting all take-offs and landings as they worked to restore normal operations.

The drone strike was the fourth launched by the Houthis within an hour, with the Israeli military successfully intercepting three others. Notably, warning sirens did not activate prior to the attack, prompting an investigation by the Israeli military.

While there was no immediate response from the Houthis, the group has a history of delaying claims of responsibility for their attacks. They have consistently targeted Israel with drones and missiles, as well as attacking ships in the Red Sea, in solidarity with Hamas and the people of Gaza.

The Houthis have vowed to continue their assaults on Israel despite recent Israeli airstrikes in Yemen that resulted in the deaths of high-ranking officials, including Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi, who was killed in a strike two weeks prior.

In a previous incident in May, a Houthi missile penetrated Israel's advanced air defense systems, hitting an area within the Ben Gurion Airport compound near Tel Aviv. Following the recent drone attacks, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning on social media, threatening severe retaliation against the Houthis. He stated, "The Houthis are firing missiles at Israel again. A plague of darkness, a plague of the firstborn — we will complete all ten plagues."

On Sunday, the Israeli military reported detecting three Houthi drones heading toward the country. Two were intercepted before entering Israeli airspace, while a third was shot down shortly after crossing the border.