Houthi-claimed explosive drone attack leaves one dead and several injured in Tel Aviv
A 50-year-old man has been killed and several people injured in Tel Aviv after an explosive drone attack claimed by Yemen's Houthis, a Shiite rebel militia backed by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The attack occurred at around 3 a.m. and hit a residential building in central Tel Aviv, near an area where there are several consulates, including the US consulate, as well as hotels where displaced Israelis from the north and south of the country are staying.
The drone was detected by the Israeli army, but "human error" meant that the interception and defence systems were not activated. Nor were the warning sirens sounded.
This incident highlights a major failure of defence systems at a time of heightened tension over the war in Gaza with Hamas and fighting against Hezbollah in northern Israel. In this regard, as Ynet notes, one of the problems with drone detection is their low flight altitude.
"Despite this, drones launched from significant distances should still be detectable, underscoring the need to improve Israel's air defence capabilities," the Israeli media outlet notes.
In addition to this drone, three other drones and a ballistic missile were launched and intercepted by the US en route to Israel.
Following the attack, Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai has decided to raise the state of alert in the city, Israel's economic centre, and has called on citizens to follow all instructions from the authorities.
Houthis vow more attacks on Israel
Yemen's Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, although the Israeli Air Force has not yet verified this information.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree called the attack a "qualitative military operation" directed against "important targets in the occupied Jaffa area, known in Israel as Tel Aviv".
The Houthis have vowed to continue attacking Israel and, in particular, Tel Aviv, one of their main targets "within range" of their weapons. In the past, the Houthis have also launched - unsuccessfully - attacks on the southern coastal city of Eilat.
In addition to threats against Israel, the Yemeni rebel militia has also threatened world trade by attacking and hijacking several ships transiting the Gulf of Aden area on the Red Sea, one of the world's most important trade routes.