A drone launched from Yemen struck the Israeli city of Eilat on Wednesday, causing a significant number of casualties and marking a serious escalation in the ongoing regional tensions. The attack, for which the Houthi group has claimed responsibility, is presented as an act of solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza .
The drone hit the center of the Red Sea resort city during the Jewish New Year holiday of Rosh Hashanah, landing near a hotel in an area frequented by tourists and causing damage to several rooms . Israeli emergency services reported that at least 20 to 22 people were injured, with two settlers in serious condition suffering from shrapnel wounds to their limbs and chest. Others sustained moderate to light injuries . The Israeli military confirmed that interception attempts were made but were unsuccessful, with local investigations indicating a failure of air defense systems to stop the drone . In response, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed that the Houthis would "learn the hard way" and promised retaliation.
Wednesday's incident is part of a broader cycle of attacks and counterattacks. The Houthis, which have stated their campaign of launching missiles and drones toward Israel, which began in October 2023, is a direct response to the war in Gaza and will continue until Israeli military operations cease . They have also repeatedly targeted international shipping in the Red Sea, demanding an end to the "siege on Gaza" . In retaliation, Israel has conducted a sustained bombing campaign against Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen since May 2025. These strikes have targeted infrastructure including the vital Hodeidah port, Sanaa International Airport, and energy facilities, resulting in significant civilian casualties and the death of senior Houthi officials like Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi in late August . This exchange occurs despite a ceasefire agreement reached between the Houthis and the United States in May 2025, which explicitly did not cover hostilities with Israel .
The hostilities are a major component of the Red Sea crisis, which has severely disrupted global maritime trade and heightened tensions across the Middle East . The Houthis, who control Yemen's capital and most populous regions, frame their actions as a legitimate stance against the Israeli offensive in Gaza, which has resulted in over 65,000 Palestinian deaths . The group's ability to project power over long distances has challenged regional militaries and drawn them into a conflict that is intrinsically linked to the fate of Gaza .