Yemen drone attack in Israel’s Eilat injures 22 people

The Houthi-led Ansar Allah movement in Yemen launched a drone attack on Israel, wounding 22 people, according to Israeli media reports from Tel Aviv. At least two of the injured are said to be in critical condition.

The drone reportedly crashed in the southern Israeli city of Eilat while flying at low altitude. During the incident, an Emirates Airlines flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted for an emergency landing in Riyadh.

Israeli media said the flight, carrying Israeli citizens, landed in Saudi Arabia as a precaution due to the drone threat.

Israeli press reported that the country’s air defense system failed to intercept the drone.

The latest strike follows a similar incident a few days earlier, when a Houthi-launched drone fell in Eilat’s hotel district, damaging buildings but causing no casualties.

Houthi rebels have been firing long-range drones and missiles toward Israel since October 2023, claiming the attacks are acts of solidarity with Palestinians. While most projectiles have been intercepted or crashed before reaching Israeli territory, some have struck populated areas.

In retaliation, Israel has carried out airstrikes on Houthi-controlled regions in Yemen, including the strategic port city of Hodeidah. The Houthis, who control much of Yemen’s population, have also targeted commercial vessels in the Red Sea amid the ongoing Gaza war.