Tel Aviv- Israel| September 24, 2025

Escalation from Yemen: Drone Attack on Eilat Injures Two Dozen, Raises Defense Concerns

A drone launched from Yemen struck the southern Israeli resort city of Eilat today, leaving at least 22 people wounded, including two in serious condition, according to the Israeli military and emergency services. The attack, which hit a bustling shopping district near a hotel, marks a significant escalation and has raised serious questions about the efficacy of Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system, which failed to intercept the incoming projectile despite a warning siren.

Headline Points

 * A drone launched from Yemen by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels struck Eilat, a southern Israeli resort city.

 * The attack wounded 22 people, with two individuals suffering serious shrapnel wounds and needing to be airlifted to a hospital in Beersheba.

 * The Israeli military confirmed that two Iron Dome interceptor missiles were launched but failed to down the drone, and an investigation into the failure is underway.

 * This is the second such incident in recent days, following a similar Houthi drone strike on a hotel in Eilat just last week that caused damage but no injuries.

 * The attack underscores the growing threat posed by the Houthis, who have been launching drones and missiles at Israel in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

The Attack and Its Aftermath

The drone strike occurred on the second day of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and sent shockwaves through the popular tourist city. Witnesses reported hearing a siren followed by a loud explosion and saw smoke rising from the impact site. The Magen David Adom emergency service reported treating 22 casualties, with the majority of injuries caused by shrapnel. Two men, aged 60 and 26, were in critical condition with severe shrapnel wounds and were evacuated by Israeli Air Force helicopter to Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba. The remaining 20 individuals were treated for light to moderate injuries at Eilat’s Yoseftal Medical Center.

The incident is particularly alarming as it represents a rare case of a Houthi projectile successfully penetrating Israeli air defenses and causing significant casualties. The Israeli military confirmed that two Iron Dome interceptors were fired at the drone but failed to hit their target. The military has launched a formal investigation into the failure, with initial reports suggesting the drone’s low flight altitude may have made it difficult to detect and intercept in time.

A Growing and Persistent Threat

The attack is the latest in a series of drone and missile strikes carried out by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have been targeting Israel since the full-scale resumption of the Gaza war in late 2023. While many of the projectiles have been intercepted or landed in unpopulated areas, the Houthis have demonstrated a growing capability to strike targets thousands of kilometers from their launch points.

Just last week, another Houthi drone struck the entrance of a hotel in Eilat, causing damage but no injuries, while another attack earlier this month hit Ramon Airport outside the city, leaving one person lightly hurt. The repeated strikes have disrupted operations at Eilat’s port and have prompted calls from Eilat’s mayor for the government to “strike the Houthis hard” in retaliation.

International and Regional Ramifications

While there was no immediate claim of responsibility for today’s attack, the Iranian-backed Houthis have consistently stated that their actions are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. This latest strike on Eilat further solidifies the regional dimension of the conflict, demonstrating that the hostilities are not confined to Israel and Gaza but extend to a broader geopolitical struggle involving Iran and its proxies.

The attack has also intensified the debate over the effectiveness of Israel’s air defense systems, which have long been considered among the most advanced in the world. As the threat from long-range drones and missiles grows, Israel and its allies will likely need to re-evaluate their defense strategies to counter these new and increasingly sophisticated weapons.