Yemeni Drone Strike Injures Dozens in ‘Eilat’, Exposing Gaps in ‘Israeli’ Air Defenses

A drone attack claimed by Yemen’s Armed Forces struck the city of Eilat in occupied Palestine on Wednesday evening, resulting in over 50 injuries, according to Israeli enemy media. Two victims were reported in serious condition and one in moderate condition, with all transported to the city’s Yoseftal Hospital.

The attack marks the latest in a series of successful penetrations of Israeli airspace by Yemeni drones, following similar strikes on Ramon and Lod airports, highlighting growing challenges to Israel’s air defense capabilities.

In comments to the Globes newspaper, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Rancivo Kochav, former head of the Israeli Air Force’s Aerial Defense Division, acknowledged the failure to intercept the drone. “Defending the country’s skies is the primary task of the Air Force, and we have failed in that,” he stated.

Kochav explained the unique challenges of defending Eilat, noting that the Iron Dome system is designed to intercept missiles from below, but its battery is located outside the city. Intercepting low-altitude drones within city limits, he said, poses risks to residents, creating a significant challenge for comprehensive protection.

He outlined five potential defense systems, including the Iron Dome and fighter jets, but highlighted complications. Using fighter jets requires complex coordination with Jordan or Egypt for overflight rights, while radars struggle to detect small, slow-flying drones, especially when approaching from Jordanian or Saudi airspace.

Kochav added that Sa’ar 6-class corvettes equipped with interception radars are not permanently stationed in the Gulf of Eilat, as they are often involved in offensive operations, further weakening the city’s immediate response capabilities.

He also addressed electronic warfare capabilities, stating their use in Eilat is limited because they could disrupt Ramon Airport and ships in the gulf, rendering them less effective for consistent urban defense.

The successful strike raises questions about why experimental systems like the “Iron Beam” laser defense, effective on the northern front, have not been deployed in Eilat, and why attack helicopters or advanced medical evacuation capabilities are not being utilized more effectively.

This repeated failure of Israeli air defenses underscores the Yemeni Armed Forces’ ability to identify and exploit vulnerabilities, forcing Israeli military leadership to conduct a comprehensive review of its aerial defense strategy. The drone threat has evolved from a possibility to an operational reality directly impacting the Israeli home front.

Umm al-Rashrash, which Israel occupied in 1949 and refers to by its Hebrew name “Eilat”, has faced repeated drone and missile attacks claimed by Yemen’s Armed Forces in solidarity with Palestinians. These incidents have put the city’s multi-layered air defense systems under scrutiny, raising questions about their effectiveness against low-cost, slow-flying drones.

Since October 2023, the Zionist entity has waged a sustained military campaign against the Gaza Strip, targeting civilian sites. This escalation has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties and widespread destruction of infrastructure, including homes, hospitals, and schools.

Medical facilities in Gaza face severe shortages of fuel, electricity, water, and essential medicines, with many hospitals operating at the brink of collapse. The blockade has intensified humanitarian suffering, forcing displaced families into makeshift shelters under constant bombardment.

In recent months, Yemen has escalated its operations by extending missile and drone strikes deep into occupied Palestine, including Tel Aviv and Eilat, challenging the joint US–Zionist air defense systems. Analysts view these developments as a significant shift in the regional balance, transforming Yemen from a local actor into a direct player in the wider confrontation.