By Tel Aviv, Israel – On Friday, an Iranian-made drone sent by Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck Tel Aviv, resulting in one death and at least 10 injuries. This marks the group’s first lethal strike on Israel.
The drone strike occurred in the center of Tel Aviv, close to the U.S. Embassy, causing significant damage and panic. Shards of glass rained down across a large area as the drone hit. The attack was startling due to the drone’s ability to evade Israel’s advanced multilayered air defenses, which have successfully intercepted most drones and rockets launched by the Houthis since the Gaza war began. Prior to this incident, such attacks rarely reached as far as Eilat, 270 kilometers (160 miles) south of Tel Aviv.
The Israeli military is conducting a thorough investigation to determine why the air defenses failed to intercept the drone. Chief spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated, “The drone was detected by air defenses, but an error occurred and there was no interception.” Another military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, suggested human error might be involved.
Yahya Sare’e, the spokesman for the Houthis, claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement on the social media platform X. He indicated that the drone was targeting the Israeli-Hamas war and had struck one of their primary targets. The Israeli military identified the drone as an Iranian Samad-3, upgraded for long-range travel, and confirmed it was launched from Yemen.
The drone struck around 3:10 a.m., shattering windows and damaging cars in the coastal neighborhood of Tel Aviv. The impact caused a loud explosion heard as far as nearby cities. Authorities are still determining if the drone exploded in the air or directly upon impact.
Israel has been under increased threat from drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have ramped up their efforts in solidarity with Hamas. The ongoing Gaza war has intensified these threats, with Israel’s air defense systems being put to the test repeatedly. This incident underscores the evolving threat landscape and the need for constant vigilance.
The drone strike in Tel Aviv signifies a significant escalation in the threats posed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels and highlights the vulnerabilities in Israel’s air defense systems. As investigations continue, the incident raises critical questions about defense readiness and the strategic responses required to counter such threats in the future. The impact of this event will likely influence both military tactics and international diplomatic efforts to address the ongoing conflicts in the region.
AP
