Eilat Mayor Calls on Israeli Government to Address Yemeni Threat Diplomatically or Militarily

NYN | Reports and analyses

Eilat Mayor Eli Lankri has urged the Israeli government to take action against the escalating threats posed by Yemeni forces, either through diplomatic efforts or military measures. His call comes amid ongoing attacks targeting the coastal city and the closure of its port for over a year due to the maritime blockade imposed in the Red Sea.

According to a report published by Yedioth Ahronoth on Thursday, the Israeli Navy intercepted a drone launched from the east last night, but the mayor confirmed that the drone had reached the city.

Lankri stated: “It is entirely clear that this war cannot end without fully addressing and removing this threat from the agenda.”

He also highlighted that “the Port of Eilat has been completely closed for the past year because the Houthis decided to block the shipping route,” emphasizing the need for a decisive solution to the crisis. He added, “Whether through a diplomatic agreement or military action, this threat must be dealt with, even if it is far from Israel’s borders.”

Meanwhile, Yemeni forces have not recently claimed responsibility for attacks on Eilat. However, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, leader of the Ansar Allah movement, stated in a televised speech on Thursday that his forces had conducted several military operations this week targeting “the depths and southern regions of occupied Palestine, including Jaffa, Ashkelon, Umm al-Rashrash (Eilat), and the Negev Desert.” This indicates the possibility of unannounced attacks.