A man was killed and several others injured following a drone attack on a block of flats in central Tel Aviv.
The drone, described by an Israeli military official as a large, long-range type, struck the building, causing significant damage and casualties.
The Houthi movement in Yemen, located over 1,000 miles (1,600 km) away, claimed responsibility for the attack. While Israel has not officially confirmed this claim, it represents a potential escalation in the Houthis’ offensive actions against Israel. These attacks began after Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas attack on October 7.
Israeli defence forces detected the incoming drone but failed to intercept it due to “human error,” according to a military official.
Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesman, asserted that the strike was carried out using a new drone capable of evading interception systems. He declared Tel Aviv, Israel’s commercial hub, “an unsafe area” and a primary target within their weapon range.
In response to the attack, the Israeli military has increased air patrols, and Tel Aviv’s mayor has placed the city on high alert, as reported by local media.
Alon, a local resident, described the impact saying “The whole building shook. My neighbours’ windows shattered, so I was sure something had hit the building. It was only when I went outside that I realised that several buildings had been damaged.”
This incident follows the Israeli military’s confirmation of the killing of a senior Hezbollah commander in southern Lebanon. Tensions between Hezbollah and Israel have been high, with exchanges of fire across the border since Hezbollah launched rockets following Israel’s military offensive on Gaza in response to the Hamas attack.
Both Hezbollah and the Houthis, backed by Iran, claim their actions are in solidarity with the Palestinians.
Chioma Kalu
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