Houthis Claim Tel Aviv Drone Strike, ‘Human Error’ in Israeli Defense

In a startling incident, a large, long-range drone struck central Tel Aviv early Friday, resulting in one fatality and slight injuries to four others. The Iranian-backed Houthi militia has claimed responsibility for this attack, which significantly escalates the regional tensions amidst the ongoing Gaza war.

The drone attack occurred just hours after the Israeli military confirmed the elimination of a senior Hezbollah commander in southern Lebanon, intensifying the geopolitical strife. Israeli military officials have noted the drone’s capability to cover large distances, pointing to the sophisticated nature of the attack. While the Houthis have taken credit, Israeli officials have not confirmed their claim but are keeping all possibilities open.

“The operation has achieved its goals successfully,” said Yahya Saree, a spokesperson for the Houthi terror group, during a televised speech. He highlighted the use of a new drone model named “Yafa,” which he claims can bypass interception systems and is undetectable by radars.

The Israeli military is investigating why the drone did not trigger the city’s air raid alarms, with preliminary findings suggesting human error prevented the activation of the sirens. In response, air patrols over Israeli airspace have been intensified, although no new civil defense measures have been ordered. However, the Mayor of Tel Aviv announced that the city has been moved to a state of heightened alert.

Emergency services responded to the scene where the body of a 50-year-old man was found in an apartment close to the explosion. Additionally, four individuals were hospitalized with slight shrapnel injuries, and others were treated for shock; all have since been released.

Footage from the explosion site showed significant damage to a building, notably close to US embassy premises. Israeli media report that fragments from the drone, similar to those used by Iranian-backed militia groups, have been recovered, suggesting the involvement of such factions.