A drone launched from Yemen by the Houthi movement struck the Israeli resort city of Eilat on Wednesday, wounding at least 20 people, according to Israeli officials.

Police said the drone exploded in a central district near hotels and shops. Videos circulating on social media show the drone in flight before impact and the aftermath of the strike, including damaged buildings.

🇮🇱 #Israel

💥A Houthi kamikaze drone struck Eliat district of Southern Israel province. Casualties reported. pic.twitter.com/oanCVQCm0X

— Cyrus Intel (@Cyrus_Intel20) September 24, 2025

SONDAKİKA:

Yemen, Eliat’da dronla bir oteli vurdu. pic.twitter.com/jyJe4qapQz

— Partizan (@aforizmrus) September 24, 2025

Reports of a drone impact in Eilat, Southern Israel. pic.twitter.com/zVzkDZldtN

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) September 24, 2025

The Israeli military confirmed that two Iron Dome interceptor missiles were fired to intercept the drone but failed. Army Radio, Israel’s military radio station, reported that the aircraft’s low altitude made interception difficult. 

The Houthis, backed by Iran, claimed responsibility for the attack. 

“The operation was carried out with a number of drones and successfully achieved its objectives,” Yahya Saree, a Houthi spokesperson, told Al Jazeera. 

In a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that any attack on Israeli cities will be met “with a painful blow to the Houthi regime.”

Eilat has been repeatedly targeted by Houthi drones. Last week, one struck the entrance of a city hotel.

A one-way attack drone launched by the Houthis struck the entrance of a hotel in Eilat, southern Israel. No casualties have been reported. pic.twitter.com/Kz6pvlDWsT

— OSINTWarfare (@OSINTWarfare) September 18, 2025

Earlier this month, another drone hit Ramon Airport just outside the city, lightly injuring one person.