A drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels injured 22 people in the southern Israeli city of Eilat on Wednesday, medics said, marking a rare breach of Israel’s advanced missile defenses, which usually prevent casualties from such attacks.
In the Gaza Strip, at least 41 Palestinians were killed by Israeli strikes, according to local hospitals. U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy expressed optimism over a new peace plan, without specifying its details or whether Israel or Hamas have accepted it.
Iran-backed Houthis have periodically targeted Israel with drones and missiles and attacked international shipping, citing support for Palestinians. Most of their attacks have previously been intercepted or landed in unpopulated areas without causing injuries. The Houthis said they launched two drones at Israel on Wednesday. Israel has previously retaliated with airstrikes on Yemen. Defense Minister Israel Katz warned on X that “anyone who harms Israel will be harmed sevenfold.”
The Israeli military said it attempted to intercept the drone. The Magen David Adom rescue service reported that two of the wounded sustained severe shrapnel injuries.
Israeli Army orders Gaza City hospital evacuation as world leaders meet at UN
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed at least 22 people in tents sheltering displaced residents in Gaza City, including three children and nine women, according to Al-Ahli hospital. Other strikes in Nuseirat refugee camp and Deir al-Balah killed at least 16 more people and injured dozens. Israel said it targeted Hamas militants while trying to avoid civilian casualties.
In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, a 24-year-old Palestinian was killed near Jenin after allegedly throwing an explosive device at Israeli forces.
The violence unfolded as the Middle East crisis dominated discussions at the U.N. General Assembly. U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s negotiator Steve Witkoff, expressed hope that a “Trump 21-point plan for peace” could lead to a breakthrough. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi described the proposals as “an important foundation” for future peace efforts.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel’s retaliatory operations have killed over 65,000, with women and children reportedly making up about half the casualties, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Current estimates suggest hundreds of thousands of residents remain trapped amid severe shortages and famine conditions in Gaza City.
Source: Agency