IDF Simulates Houthi Seaborne Invasion of Eilat

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted a large-scale military exercise in the southern city of Eilat over three days, simulating a seaborne invasion by Houthi forces from the Red Sea. The drill began with a simulated alert at 5:40 a.m. reporting Houthi naval forces crossing Israel's maritime border, followed by an assumed landing in Eilat and subsequent urban combat.

Thousands of soldiers from the 80th Division participated in the exercise, which took place day and night in Eilat, surrounding roads, and nearby border communities. The simulation involved various sensitive locations, including scenarios where mock attackers infiltrated a hotel, took hostages, and blocked students in a school. Other drills focused on street-level combat within the city.

Soldiers trained in coordination with police, firefighters, special units, and rescue services. A dedicated unit role-played enemy combatants to replicate real-world attack conditions. The LOTAR Eilat reserve counter-terrorism unit, largely composed of local residents and specializing in regional protection, was also mobilized. This unit regularly trains in hotels and buildings integrated into the exercise scenarios.

The simulation, planned months in advance with local facility managers, aimed to test the command's ability to manage multiple simultaneous crises and adapt procedures in real-time. The IDF stated that such exercises are regularly organized to maintain continuous protection for Eilat, a strategic city bordering Jordan and Egypt, and situated on the Red Sea.