The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement that confirmed certain reports while denying others about explosions in Eilat, noting that information circulating on Telegram channels did not reflect a security incident in the city or its surroundings.
According to the IDF, no artillery shell landed in Eilat or nearby areas, and no interceptor was launched. The military described the situation as not indicating any security threat in the sector.
Earlier, Israeli police had indicated that Eilat was temporarily blocked for security reasons as part of ongoing precautionary measures.
The broader Middle East crisis intensified on October 7 when thousands of Hamas supporters breached into Israel from the Gaza Strip. In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel was at war, a characterization widely reported by international outlets at the time.
On October 27, Israel announced an expansion of the ground operation in Gaza. By November 5, IDF forces had moved to encircle Gaza City and disrupt the city’s food supply lines as part of the broader ground campaign.
By December 5, the IDF had commenced a third phase of the ground operation inside the Gaza Strip, directing military efforts toward Khan Younis in the southern region of the enclave.
On May 6, Israel reportedly began a ground offensive in Rafah, a city that hosts a large refugee population from across the Gaza Strip. Civilian residents were urged to relocate to an extended humanitarian corridor roughly 20 kilometers from Rafah as the operation commenced. End conditions described by Israeli authorities included the release of hostages held by Hamas or the defeat of Hamas forces in the area.
Previously, leaders stated that an attack on facilities in Yemen, including the Hodeidah oil storage site, had been a targeted action. The context for these statements has remained a focal point in regional security discussions and international reporting.