At least 20 wounded after drone from Yemen hits Israel's Eilat
At least 20 people have been wounded after a drone crashed and exploded in the southern Israeli port city of Eilat, Israeli media has reported, citing Israel's ambulance service.
Two people were said to be in critical condition.
Israeli Army Radio said a drone flew at a low altitude above the ground, making it difficult for the Iron Dome missile defence system to intercept it.
The Times of Israel reported that paramedics were providing medical treatment and referring the wounded to Yoseftal Hospital nearby.
Israel's military said the drone was launched from Yemen.
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Yemen’s Houthi group has claimed responsibility, saying the attack was carried out in response to the genocide in Gaza.
“We will not stop, with the help of God Almighty, until the aggression against you stops and the siege is lifted,” the statement said.
The group said its forces carried out “a qualitative military operation with two drones targeting two Israeli enemy targets”.
The operation had achieved its goal, as Israeli defence systems failed to intercept the attack, said the statement published on Telegram.
Israel Hayom reported, citing an initial investigation, that air defence systems had failed to stop the attack.
Videos posted on social media showed what appeared to be the drone flying in the sky, before a loud explosion was heard.
The drone attack comes days after Yemen's Ansar Allah, commonly known as the Houthi movement, fired a drone that crashed in Eilat's hotel zone, resulting in material damage but no casualties.
The Houthis have been launching missiles and drones towards Israel since late 2023, as an act of solidarity with Palestinians under bombardment and siege in Gaza.
Many of the missiles and drones launched have been intercepted or fallen short, though some have struck Israeli territory.
Israel has launched several attacks on Yemen, killing many members of the Houthi administration, including the prime minister.
The Houthis have also been attacking vessels in the Red Sea since November 2023 as an act of solidarity with Palestinians.
In May, after weeks of US bombardment of Yemen, a ceasefire was agreed in which the Houthis said it would stop attacking most international shipping.
The Houthis said at the time that the ceasefire would not include attacking Israeli-linked ships, or Israeli territory.
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