Eilat, Israel’s leisure capital turns into a city of terror

The Israeli daily Maariv published a report today describing the situation in the southern settlement city of Eilat, and the mood among its residents, two years after the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation of October 7, 2023.

The report opens by noting the incursion of three drones launched from Yemen toward Eilat last night, which caused panic among the city’s residents. Maariv recalls that Eilat, once known as a haven for leisure and rest in the occupied territories, has now become a new frontline.

Thousands of tourists who had arrived for the Jewish holiday of Sukkot saw their vacations abruptly cut short — the beaches emptied, shops and restaurants shut down, and beach umbrellas were left abandoned as people rushed to bomb shelters.

Less than a month ago, on September 24, 2025, a drone explosion near the Mall Hayam tourist center injured 23 settlers, two of them critically.

Since then, Maariv writes, Eilat has been living in a state of permanent anxiety: repeated alerts, intercepted drones, and a constant sense of threat that intensifies during the holidays. The city that was once a weekend escape for tens of thousands of Israelis and tourists is now, as some residents say, “breathing in fear.”

One settler who had come to Eilat for a break said: “I came here to get away from the news, to forget for a while. But every strange sound makes my heart jump. The latest siren interrupted our family dinner — we ran to the safe room. This isn’t a vacation; it’s a war that follows us everywhere.”

He added that if the situation continues, he will cut his stay short.

A local merchant described the atmosphere as “a daily wound”: “Every morning starts with alerts on Telegram. After the explosion at the mall, I saw people screaming, I saw the shrapnel. I no longer let my kids go out alone.”

Another resident recounted the panic during the latest sirens: “We rushed outside and people were falling over each other — it felt like a stampede. I just hope the government protects us the way it’s supposed to.”

According to the report, many residents believe that Yemen’s armed forces are intentionally trying to spread fear as part of an expanding regional war, and they are calling on the Israeli authorities for “real protection.”

Eilat — known as the recreational capital of Israel — lies on the Red Sea near the borders of Egypt and Jordan. Its warm and sunny weather makes it a year-round destination for beach tourism. The city’s main attractions include sandy beaches, diving centers, water parks, luxury hotels, shopping malls, and seaside entertainment. It is also a duty-free zone, which makes it especially attractive for tourists.