50 people, including three in serious condition, were injured near the start of the holiday (Wednesday) by a drone strike in the tourist center of Eilat, near a shopping mall facing the sea.
The drone struck near the Club Hotel in the city center. Rescue forces reported casualties in the hotel lobby and at the nearby Paddy's restaurant.
The fire and rescue services reported that "explosives remained in the area as a result of the fall" and that the vehicle was damaged.
MDA paramedic Eyal Dadon said: "As soon as we heard the alert about the intrusion of a UAV in Eilat, we entered a protected area according to the Home Front Command's instructions. A few moments later, reports were received at MDA's 101 hotline about a hit near a structure, and large MDA forces, including ambulances, intensive care vehicles, and MDA rapid response units, were rushed to the scene.
""There was a fire at the scene that was extinguished by firefighters, and we conducted a search of the scene and opened a casualty collection point.".
The drone, which was launched this afternoon from Yemen to Eilat, traveled a distance of 1,800 kilometers. It was detected by detection and warning systems before it entered Israeli territory, and alarms were activated in the city.
Two Iron Dome missiles were launched at the drone, but they missed. At some point, the vehicle lost its positioning systems and hit directly in the hotel area.
Documentation of the drone strike in Eilat@ItayBlumental @Itsik_zuarets pic.twitter.com/XoTe9vWa7A
— Here News (@kann_news) September 24, 2025
According to a report in Kan News, an initial investigation by the Air Force identified no unusual characteristics in the type of UAV launched from Yemen, nor a technical failure in the Air Force's interception systems. It appears that the UAV was detected relatively late, and arrived at a low altitude and low speed, which made it difficult for the detection and interception systems.
The Air Force continues to investigate the incident.
Eilat Region Commander Alon Kalfon conducted a situation assessment at the scene. "We call on residents, guests and visitors to the city to avoid arriving at the scene of the incident and allow the police and security and rescue forces to restore order to the scene," the police said.
Defense Minister Israel Katz responded to the Houthi drone strike in Eilat: "I wish a full recovery to those injured in the drone strike in Eilat. The Houthi terrorists refuse to learn from Iran, Lebanon and Gaza - and will learn the hard way. Whoever harms Israel will be harmed sevenfold.".
It should be noted that this is the third UAV that has managed to penetrate the Air Force's air defense systems in three weeks.
The IDF statement said that "an unmanned aerial vehicle launched from Yemen fell in the Eilat area. Attempts were made to intercept it, and rescue and search and rescue forces are operating in the area where a report of a fall was received." Last week, as mentioned, a UAV launched from Yemen exploded at the entrance to the Jacob Hotel in Eilat.
Join the Haredim 10 Facebook page >>
Join the X page of Haredim 10 >>
Want more news, videos and stories? Join the Haredim 10 WhatsApp channel >>
