Satellite images have indicated damage at the Ramat David Air Base following Iran's ballistic missile attack on Israel. The base, located southeast of Haifa in the north, showed color changes in the hangar area.
The images emerged from low-resolution frames taken on Monday by the European Commission's Sentinel-2 satellite. This evidence strengthens the assessment that the base was hit during the missile attack that lasted from Sunday night into Monday morning.
Iran Confirms Targeting Ramat David
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards confirmed they targeted the Ramat David facility. The statement noted the operation was carried out using Kheybar Shekan and Qadr ballistic missiles.
The Kheybar Shekan missile is described as a newer generation missile with enhanced maneuverability designed to evade defense systems. It reportedly carries a warhead weighing between 500 and 600 kilograms.
The Revolutionary Guards stated the attack was in response to Israeli strikes on the Dahiyeh area of Beirut. The statement accused Israel of crossing established red lines and warned of a harsher response if the military campaign expands.
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 approximately 10.5 square kilometers and hosts several combat squadrons operating F-15 and F-16 aircraft. These jets are reportedly used in strikes against targets in Lebanon.
Hezbollah's military media previously released footage in July 2024 showing vulnerabilities of the base, including Iron Dome batteries, ammunition depots, fuel storage areas, and hangars.
Base Has Been Targeted Before
Ramat David has repeatedly been targeted by armed groups in the region. Hezbollah announced attacks 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 no Israeli personnel were harmed in the attack.
Military censorship typically prohibits publishing exact impact points on sensitive facilities for security reasons. Nevertheless, satellite images revealed visible signs of possible effects around the base.
The attack, according to Iran, was a direct response to Israeli operations targeting civilian neighborhoods in Beirut's Dahiyeh area. This development indicates a further escalation of regional tensions 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.
