Houthi Drone Strikes Eilat Hotel; Missile Intercepted Over Central Israel

A drone launched from Yemen struck the entrance of a hotel in Eilat on Thursday evening, causing damage but no injuries. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the incident, noting that the drone was launched "from the east," a term typically referring to attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi forces in Yemen.

Approximately an hour later, the IDF intercepted a second drone fired from Yemen. No sirens were activated during this interception, in accordance with protocol.

Later that evening, the Houthis launched a ballistic missile toward central Israel, triggering air-raid sirens across multiple cities, including Tel Aviv, Herzliya, and Jerusalem. The missile was intercepted by Israeli air defenses, and no injuries or damage were reported.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for these attacks, stating they targeted "sensitive Israeli military targets" in Tel Aviv and launched multiple drones at Israel throughout the day.

In response to the repeated attacks, the Israeli Air Force conducted strikes on military infrastructure at the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah in western Yemen earlier this week.

The Houthis have been targeting Israel with missiles and drones since October 2023, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.