Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for a deadly drone blast in Tel Aviv, marking their latest attack in response to Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The explosion occurred in a central district housing diplomatic missions, including a US Embassy branch office, resulting in the death of a 50-year-old man and injuring at least 10 others.
Houthi spokesperson Yahya Sare’e described the operation as significant and successful, carried out with a new drone capable of bypassing interception systems. The group stated that these attacks will continue until Israel ceases its aggression and lifts the siege on Gaza.
The Israeli military confirmed the drone attack, which was not intercepted due to human error. The drone, armed with a warhead, crashed into an apartment building, causing casualties and injuries. The incident triggered emergency response efforts, with no damage reported to the US diplomatic mission in the vicinity.
Following the explosion, emergency crews responded to the scene, treating the injured and securing the area. Israeli authorities are conducting investigations into the attack, while the US State Department remains in close contact to determine the source and target of the explosion.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in significant casualties and displacement in Gaza, with fears of a wider regional conflict looming. The Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have disrupted maritime trade routes, impacting global shipping and oil companies.
This drone attack in Tel Aviv follows previous incidents where the Houthis targeted ships in the Israeli port of Haifa. The IDF has not confirmed these claims, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and security measures.