Drone from Yemen Strikes Israel’s Eilat, Injuring 22

Kokcha News Agency: A drone launched from Yemen struck the southern Israeli tourist resort of Eilat on Wednesday, injuring 22 people, including two men in serious condition, according to Israel’s emergency medical service, Magen David Adom. The attack, claimed by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, occurred on the second day of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

The Israeli military confirmed that the drone “fell in the area of Eilat” after air defenses failed to intercept it. This marks the second such incident in recent days. The drone reportedly crashed in Eilat’s city center, a popular tourist area, causing damage and injuring civilians.

Footage shared on social media, which AFP could not independently verify, showed a drone flying above the resort town before crashing, with smoke rising from the impact site.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree later claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that the group had launched two drones at two targets in southern Israel.

Eilat Mayor Eli Lankri called on the Israeli government to “strike the Houthis hard” in retaliation for the attack. In an interview with Israel’s Channel 12, Lankri expressed concern over the repeated Houthi attacks, which have disrupted operations at Eilat’s port.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning, stating, “Any attack on Israel’s cities will be met with a harsh and painful blow against the Houthi terror regime, as has been shown before.”

The Houthis have repeatedly targeted Israel with missiles and drones since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, claiming their actions are in support of the Palestinian group Hamas. Israel has responded with multiple airstrikes on Houthi-held areas in Yemen, including the assassination of the head of the Houthi government and 11 senior officials last month.

The attack on Eilat has heightened tensions in the region, with fears of further escalation between Israel and the Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran.