Rescuers say 20 people have been injured in southern Israel after reports indicated that a drone was launched from Yemen.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) noted that the drone struck the resort town of Eilat on the Red Sea coast, while attempts to intercept it were made.
According to Magen David Adom, emergency services, 20 individuals were brought to Yoseftal Hospital, two of whom suffered serious limb injuries.
While Israeli media has attributed the attack to the Houthi rebels, the Yemeni group has not yet officially claimed responsibility.
Israeli TV aired live footage claimed to be from the drone strike showing smoke rising from the impacted site. Additional footage verified by the BBC illustrated a drone disappearing behind buildings shortly before the explosion.
The IDF reported that troops and police were dispatched to Eilat following the UAV attack report, assisting with evacuations and helicopter airlifts for the wounded. They also advised citizens to seek protected areas for ten minutes after alerts sounded.
If confirmed by the Houthis, this attack could rank among the deadliest against Israel, recalling a prior drone attack in Tel Aviv that killed one and injured ten last year.
Eilat, a popular tourist destination, has faced numerous drone strikes recently, with another attack hitting the hotel district last week but resulting in no casualties. Earlier this month, a Houthi drone wounded one individual at Ramon Airport, located north of Eilat.
The Houthi group has been targeting Israel as a show of solidarity with Palestinians amid ongoing conflicts with Hamas, while Israel has retaliated with airstrikes on Houthi territories in Yemen.
Recent Israeli operations in Yemen have resulted in significant casualties, indicating escalating tensions corresponding to the war's developments.
