In brief
In a tense escalation of conflicts, a drone attack attributed to a source in Yemen has injured 20 people in Eilat, Israel. The Israeli military confirms the strike and states efforts were made to intercept the drone. This incident raises alarms about ongoing hostilities between Israel and Houthi forces amid the broader regional geopolitical tensions.
Rescuers say 20 people have been injured in southern Israel after the Israeli military reported a drone was launched from Yemen.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the drone struck the resort town of Eilat on the Red Sea coast, with failed attempts to intercept it.
The Magen David Adom emergency medical service confirmed that all injured individuals were transported to Yoseftal Hospital, with two suffering serious injuries.
Israeli media outlets have labeled the strike as an attack by Houthi forces, though the Yemeni group has not yet claimed responsibility for the incident.
Live footage from Israeli television showed billowing smoke rising from the site of the drone strike. Footage verified by the BBC depicted the drone flying and then disappearing behind buildings prior to the explosion.
The IDF reported that troops and police were dispatched to assist with evacuation efforts and deployed a helicopter to carry the wounded from the scene. The military advised citizens to stay in protected areas for ten minutes after receiving an alert regarding the incident.
This attack marks one of the more serious recent Houthi assaults aimed at Israel, which also includes drone strikes earlier this month at locations such as the nearby Ramon Airport and tourist hotel areas without causing casualties.
In recent developments, the Iranian-backed Houthi group has increased missile and drone attacks on Israel, citing solidarity with Palestinians amidst ongoing conflict in Gaza. Israel, in retaliation, has conducted air strikes in Houthi-controlled regions of Yemen.
