Earthquake Near Eilat Shakes Southern Israel, Disrupts Ramon Airport Operations

A magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck the Eilat Bay area on Wednesday, November 11, with tremors felt in Eilat and surrounding regions. The earthquake occurred at 11:24 AM, with its epicenter located approximately 30 kilometers south of Eilat, according to the Geological Survey. Following the seismic event, the Home Front Command activated its warning system to alert the public to the seismic threat. Minor damage, primarily cracks in glass surfaces, was reported at Ramon Airport. No significant damage to other urban infrastructure has been reported. The Israel Airports Authority temporarily suspended operations at Ramon Airport, halting all takeoffs and landings. An Arkia Airlines plane in the air during the earthquake was unable to land as scheduled. The airport terminal was also evacuated as a safety precaution. The Israel Airports Authority later announced the resumption of air traffic after safety checks and infrastructure inspections confirmed the airport's readiness to resume passenger services. Police confirmed that the earthquake caused no casualties or major destruction in the region. The year 2027 has been designated a period of heightened preparedness, with plans for increased drills, exercises, and strengthening of search and rescue capabilities in coordination with local authorities. Earlier, residents in several southern Israeli areas, including Eilat and the Arava region, received earthquake warnings.