A drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck the southern Israeli port city of Eilat on Wednesday (September 24, 2025), injuring 22 people, according to Israeli medics. The rare incident marked one of the few times Israel’s sophisticated air defense systems failed to fully intercept such an attack. Rescue officials said two people suffered severe shrapnel wounds.
The Iran-backed Houthis have regularly launched drones and missiles at Israel since the war in Gaza began, framing their actions as support for Palestinians. They have also attacked international shipping routes in the Red Sea. Although most of their weapons are intercepted or fall in open areas, Wednesday’s strike highlighted the persistent threat.
The Houthis claimed responsibility, saying they fired two drones.
How did Israel respond?
Israel’s military confirmed an attempt was made to intercept the drone. Defense Minister Israel Katz warned the Houthis on X that “anyone who harms Israel will be harmed sevenfold,” signaling the possibility of retaliatory airstrikes on Yemen, as seen in previous months.
A day later, on Thursday (September 25, 2025), Israel launched air strikes on Yemen’s rebel-held capital Sanaa. Confirming the development, Israeli Defence Minister Katz said that Israel had “just dealt a powerful blow to numerous terror targets of the Huthi terror organization in Sanaa”.
Meanwhile, when Eilat was under attack, Gaza endured another wave of deadly Israeli strikes. According to media reports citing local hospitals, 41 Palestinians were killed, including women and children. A strike on tents sheltering displaced families in Gaza City killed at least 22 people.
In the Nuseirat refugee camp, at least 12 were killed and 18 wounded. Another airstrike on a home in Nuseirat killed a couple and their two children. Israel said it had targeted Hamas militants using precision munitions, while blaming the group for civilian deaths by embedding in densely populated areas.
Houthis-Israel strikes: What’s behind the attacks?
Both sides have been engaging in strikes and counter-strikes for nearly two years now since the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, which marked the commencement of the Gaza war. Iran-backed Houthi rebels began have been targeting Israel with missiles and drones, as well as attacking vessels they deem linked to the country since then.
The Houthis say they act in solidarity with Palestinians.
Israel, in response, has carried out several strikes in Yemen, mainly targeting infrastructure such as ports, power stations, and Sanaa’s international airport.
What is the US saying about peace efforts?
Amid the escalating violence, the United States unveiled fresh optimism for a new peace framework. President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff spoke of a “21-point plan for peace”, presented to Arab leaders, without disclosing details. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this optimism, saying negotiations were “ongoing even as we speak.”
The war in Gaza erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel’s retaliatory campaign has since killed over 65,000 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, with women and children making up about half the reported fatalities.
Israel insists it is targeting Hamas fighters, but humanitarian agencies warn of mass civilian casualties, famine-like conditions in Gaza City, and mass displacement. Up to 700,000 people remain trapped in Gaza City, despite new ground offensives and ongoing bombardments.