Drone Attack from Yemen Hits Israeli Resort, Wounds 22

Israel’s military reported on Wednesday that a drone launched from Yemen struck the southern tourist resort of Eilat, leaving 22 people wounded, according to emergency services.

The attack, claimed by Yemen’s Iran-backed Huthi rebels, occurred on the second day of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, marking the second such incident in days.

Incident Details

Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency medical service, confirmed treatment of 22 casualties, including two men aged 26 and 60 in serious condition with shrapnel injuries. Another person was moderately injured, while 19 others sustained light injuries from shrapnel and related trauma.

Police said the drone fell in Eilat’s city centre, affecting areas frequented by tourists. Footage shared on social media, which AFP could not independently verify, showed a drone flying above the resort before crashing and producing smoke at the impact site.

Yahya Saree, Huthi military spokesman, claimed that the group had launched two drones targeting southern Israel. The Huthis emphasised their actions were in support of Palestinian ally Hamas, whose October 2023 attacks triggered the ongoing conflict.

Eilat Mayor Eli Lankri called for a strong retaliatory strike against the Huthis, stating in an interview with Channel 12 that repeated attacks had disrupted operations at Eilat’s port.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of a severe response: “Any attack on Israel’s cities will be met with a harsh and painful blow against the Huthi terror regime, as has been shown before.”

The Israeli army earlier reported that air raid sirens rang throughout Eilat, a resort town near the Egyptian and Jordanian borders, following the drone strike.

Israel has conducted multiple air raids on rebel-held areas of Yemen in retaliation, and last month assassinated the head of the Huthi government along with 11 senior officials.

Since the start of the Gaza conflict, the Huthis have repeatedly launched missiles and drones at Israel, claiming to act in support of Hamas.

This latest strike underscores the escalating regional tensions, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by cross-border drone attacks and their impact on tourist areas and civilian populationsTop of FormBottom of Form