Satellite images indicate damage at the Ramat David Air Base following Iran's ballistic missile attack on Israel. Located southeast of Haifa in the north, a color change was observed in the hangar area of the base.
These marks, seen in low-resolution images taken on Monday by the European Commission's Sentinel-2 satellite, strengthen the assessment that the base may have been hit during the attack that lasted from Sunday night to Monday morning.
Iran: Ramat David Targeted
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards confirmed targeting the Ramat David facility. The statement noted that the operation was carried out using Kheibar Shekan and Qadr ballistic missiles.
Kheibar Shekan is described as a newer generation missile with enhanced maneuverability, designed to overcome defense systems. It reportedly carries a warhead weighing between 500 and 600 kilograms.
The Revolutionary Guards said the attack was in response to Israeli strikes on the Dahiyeh area of Beirut. The statement claimed Israel had crossed established red lines and warned of a harsher response if the military campaign expanded.
The Largest Air Base in Northern Israel
Established by British forces in 1942, the Ramat David Base came under Israeli military control on May 26, 1948. Today, it is the largest Israeli air facility in the northern command and one of three main air bases in the occupied territories.
The base covers an area of approximately 10.5 square kilometers and hosts several combat squadrons operating F-15 and F-16 aircraft. These planes are reportedly used in attacks on targets in Lebanon.
Hezbollah's military media previously released images in July 2024 showing the base's vulnerabilities, including Iron Dome batteries, ammunition depots, fuel storage areas, and hangars.
The Base Has Been Targeted Before
Ramat David has repeatedly been targeted by armed groups in the region. Hezbollah announced an attack on the base in September 2024 using Fadi-1 and Fadi-2 missiles.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq also claimed drone attacks on the base in April and July of the same year. These attacks highlighted the strategic importance of the facility in the regional conflict.
The Israeli military asserted that all missiles launched on Sunday night were either intercepted or fell in open areas. It also claimed that no Israeli personnel were harmed in the attack.
Military censorship usually prohibits publishing exact impact points on sensitive facilities for security reasons. Nevertheless, satellite images revealed visible signs of possible effects around the base.
According to Iran, the attack was a direct response to Israeli operations targeting civilian neighborhoods in Beirut's Dahiyeh area. This development indicates that regional tensions have further escalated following increased airstrikes across Lebanon.
This Iranian attack stands out as the first direct missile strike on Israeli-occupied territories since the ceasefire reached in April. Additionally, two ballistic missiles were reportedly launched from Yemen towards Israeli targets on Monday morning.
