Drone Attack from Yemen Injures 20 in Eilat, Israel

Wed Oct 22 2025 04:36:01 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A drone launched from Yemen strikes Eilat, injuring at least 20 individuals. The Iranian-backed Houthis claim responsibility for the attack, marking a serious escalation in regional hostilities.

A drone attack originating from Yemen has injured 20 people in the southern Israeli resort town of Eilat. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported attempts to intercept the drone, which struck the area despite these efforts. Emergency services transported the injured, including two with serious injuries, to a local hospital. The Houthi group has claimed responsibility, stating the strike targeted "Israeli enemy targets" as part of their ongoing conflict with Israel. This incident represents one of the more severe Houthi attacks on Israel, raising concerns over increased hostilities in the region.

Rescuers say at least 20 people have been injured in southern Israel after the Israeli military reported a drone launched from Yemen.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) indicated that the drone struck the resort town of Eilat, with attempts made to intercept it.

The Magen David Adom emergency medical service stated that 20 individuals were transported to Yoseftal Hospital, including two men with serious limb injuries.

The Iranian-backed Houthi movement claimed responsibility for the strike following the attack. A spokesman for the group, Yahya Sarea, claimed two drones targeted two Israeli enemy targets as part of a successful operation.

Israeli TV broadcasts showed live footage of the drone strike and the aftermath, with significant smoke rising from the impacted area. Verified social media footage depicted a drone flying down before the explosion, frightening nearby birds.

The IDF's statement confirmed that troops, along with the Israel Police, were deployed to Eilat following reports of the UAV attack, facilitating evacuations and providing medical assistance.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz expressed wishes for the injured's recovery and vowed that the Houthi attackers would face severe consequences. He stated, Anyone who harms Israel will be harmed sevenfold. The IDF also reported that air raid sirens had sounded in Eilat prior to the strike.

This incident is marked as one of the most serious attacks by the Houthis to date regarding casualties. Prior incidents this year included a drone hitting Tel Aviv in July, resulting in one death and several injuries, and other strikes in Eilat without reported casualties.

The Houthis have been using drone attacks as a show of solidarity with the Palestinians amid ongoing tensions with Israel, particularly following the recent escalation of conflict in Gaza.

In return, Israel has conducted airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen, including the Red Sea port of Hudaydah. The escalation highlights a growing cycle of retaliatory violence impacting both Yemen and Israel.