Rescuers say 20 people have been injured in southern Israel after the Israeli military reported that 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 attempts made to intercept it.
The Magen David Adom emergency medical service confirmed that 20 individuals were transported to Yoseftal Hospital, with two sustaining serious limb injuries.
Israeli media outlets characterized the strike as originating from Houthi forces; however, the Yemeni group has not formally claimed responsibility.
Israeli television provided live coverage of the drone strike aftermath, featuring footage of smoke rising from the impacted area. Verified social media clips also showed a drone disappearing behind buildings moments before the explosion.
The IDF dispatched troops and police to Eilat following reports of the attack, assisting in area evacuations while a helicopter was deployed for medical emergencies.
Israeli authorities urged residents to remain in protected areas for 10 minutes upon receiving alerts. The military confirmed that air raid sirens had activated in the town.
If claimed by the Houthis, this would represent one of the most lethal attacks by the group to date. Previous incidents include a Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv in July 2024, which resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries.
Eilat, a popular tourist destination, has recently experienced other drone strikes, including a previous incident on hotel areas last week with no reported injuries and another in early September that wounded one person at Ramon Airport.
For their part, the Houthis have been launching missiles and drones towards Israel as acts of solidarity with Palestinians amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The Iranian-backed group controls parts of Yemen but is not recognized as the country's legitimate government and has faced Israeli retaliatory strikes, including attacks on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, leading to casualties among the group's ranks.
As tensions rise, the implications of these aggressive actions continue to unfold on multiple fronts, warranting international attention and concern.