Houthi Drone Strike in Tel Aviv: 1 Killed, 10 Injured

Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for a drone strike early Friday that struck central Tel Aviv near the U.S. Embassy, resulting in one death and ten injuries.

The drone attack sent shrapnel and glass flying across a wide area. The Houthis have launched drones and missiles toward Israel throughout the Israel-Hamas conflict, supporting the Palestinian cause and opposing Israel. Until now, these attacks had been intercepted by Israel or its Western allies stationed in the region.

Houthi spokesperson Yahya Sare’e announced on the social media platform X that the strike was in retaliation for the ongoing war and hit one of their many targets.

The Houthis claimed their new drones could evade Israel’s air defense systems. However, an Israeli military official attributed the hit to “human error,” noting that the drone had been identified on Thursday. The military’s threat assessment remains unchanged as adversaries have attempted similar strikes for months.

The official described the attack as targeting civilians in Israel, the first such threat to Tel Aviv in months. Local police reported the explosion occurred around 3:10 a.m., injuring at least ten people. Tel Aviv District Commander Peretz Amar stated the explosion likely occurred in the air, though the military had not confirmed if the drone or its fragments had struck buildings.

The blast shattered windows and damaged cars near the coastline, drawing crowds as police helicopters patrolled overhead. Many of the approximately 60,000 Israelis displaced earlier in the conflict now reside in the area, fueling frustration with the military’s handling of the war over the past nine months.

Yossi Nevi, a retired evacuee from Kiryat Shmona, said the blast woke him and diminished his confidence in the military. He noted that many expected an attack from the north, contrary to the military’s statement.

Nevi expressed his loss of trust in the army, especially after learning the incident was due to human error.

Eldad Namdar, who owns a nearby camera store, reported minor damage to his shop. While he hopes for an end to the war, he wants a resolution that ensures lasting peace.

“I don’t want this to happen again in six months. I want a definitive end to the conflict,” Namdar said.

The Houthi strike occurred hours after Israel confirmed one of its airstrikes killed a Hezbollah commander and other militants in southern Lebanon. Israel has refrained from attacking the Houthis, allowing its allies to lead as it focuses on Gaza and ongoing clashes with Hezbollah.

The Houthis have frequently claimed responsibility for attacking targets in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, often citing ships linked to Israel, the U.S., or the U.K., although many have no direct connection to the war. Friday’s drone strike on Tel Aviv may reignite fears of the Gaza conflict escalating into a regional war as international mediators push for a ceasefire. The proposed three-phase deal would halt fighting and secure the release of approximately 120 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

These fears contrast with renewed hopes that Israel’s ongoing operation in Rafah nearing completion could create a conducive environment for negotiations. The country remains divided on the issue, with some advocating for necessary steps to free the hostages, while others, including far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, oppose a deal. Ben-Gvir, during a visit to Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy site, prayed for the hostages’ return without a “reckless deal.”

Israel’s multi-layered air defense system can intercept various threats, including long-range ballistic missiles and short-range drones. These systems have intercepted thousands of projectiles during the conflict. However, officials acknowledge they are not foolproof and have struggled against small, hard-to-detect attack drones. An official noted the system had identified the weapon but failed to activate due to human error.

Like Hamas and Hezbollah, the Houthis are backed by Iran, Israel’s arch-enemy. Throughout the conflict, Israel has largely avoided direct confrontation with Iran. In April, Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel in response to the alleged assassination of two Iranian generals in Syria by Israel.

The Gaza conflict, triggered by Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on October 7, has resulted in over 38,600 deaths, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The war has caused a humanitarian crisis in the densely populated Palestinian territory, displacing most of its 2.3 million residents and leading to widespread hunger.

Hamas’ October attack allegedly killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took about 250 hostages. Approximately 120 remain in captivity, with around a third believed to be dead, according to Israeli authorities.