Israel Strikes Syrian Terror Group That Targeted Eilat School with Drone

Latest Developments

Israel said on November 10 that it conducted a strike in Syria targeting a group that launched a drone attack on an Israeli school in Eilat the day before. The drone attack was one of several recent assaults on Eilat, most of which were carried out by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. The latest drone attack, however, originated in Syria, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). “The IDF holds the Syrian regime fully responsible for every terror activity emanating from its territory. The IDF will respond severely to every aggression against Israeli territory,” said the IDF.

Expert Analysis

“Iranian-backed drone attacks from Syria are emerging as dangerous threats to Israel and U.S. forces in the region. The attack on a school in the southern city of Eilat in Israel shows that the range and capabilities of drones from Syria is growing. As Iran attempts to proliferate drone technology across the region and to Russia, the United States and its allies must act decisively to counter the drones and deter Iran and Iran’s proxies.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“Israelis, Saudis, and American service members have something in common: they have all been targeted by Iranian-produced drones and Iranian terror proxies. The Islamic Republic of Iran would prefer its victims not notice that fact and avoid taking coordinated action to do something about it.” — Bradley Bowman, Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power

Drone Damages Elementary School

Israeli authorities said the drone struck and damaged the upper floor of Tze’elim Elementary School in the afternoon, damaging some windows and a ceiling. The Jerusalem Post reported that 37 kindergarten students and six communications students were inside the lower building at the time. The Magen David Adom ambulance service reported treating five people for anxiety and a 20-year-old man for smoke inhalation as a result of the strike.

Drone Threats From Syria

Iranian-backed terrorist groups in Syria have acquired Iranian drones over the last decade. In addition, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces in Syria, the Syrian regime, and Hezbollah have all used drones during the Syrian civil war. In 2018, Iran attempted to smuggle explosives from Syria to the West Bank using an Iranian Shahed-141 drone. Israel intercepted the drone after it entered Israeli airspace. On October 18, an Iranian-backed group in Syria used drones to target American forces in Al-Tanf, a U.S. garrison in Syria.

Iranian Entrenchment in Syria

Iran supports Damascus and intervened in the Syrian civil war by sending IRGC fighters to Syria. Iran also created militias in Syria and has used them to threaten U.S. forces and Israel. In response, Israel has carried out various operations to reduce Iranian entrenchment in Syria, such as air strikes on weapons convoys. Iranian-backed groups in Syria have launched many rockets at Israel in the wake of Hamas’s October 7 massacre that killed more than 1,400 people.

Related Analysis

“Hamas Drone Factory in Gaza Uncovered in Civilian Building,” FDD Flash Brief

“U.S. launches second strike on Iranian assets in Syria,” by Joe Truzman and Bill Roggio

“Russia’s Wagner Group to Transfer Air Defense System to Hezbollah, U.S. Intel Says,” by John Hardie