Houthi rebels launch fatal drone strike on Tel Aviv

An Iranian drone struck a residential building in Israel’s capital city early Friday morning and killed one civilian, according to the Israel Defense Forces. Yemen-based Houthi rebels mounted the fatal strike which injured 10 other people, IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said. The strike was centered on a civilian area close to the U.S. embassy. Authorities launched an in-depth investigation into why no warning sirens were activated ahead of the strike, the Israeli Air Force said.

In a separate incident, the military downed what it characterized as a suspicious aerial target crossing from Lebanon hours after the strike on Tel Aviv, the IAF added. Authorities are investigating a connection between the attacks, Hagari said. The Iran-backed Houthi rebels began attacking vessels in and near commercial shipping routes along the Red Sea after the October 7 Hamas terror attacks and have launched dozens of strikes since.

How does Israel know the Houthis are responsible? Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the attack in a broadcast Friday morning. Houthis used a new drone capable of bypassing the enemy’s interception systems and radars, he said. Houthi forces have a list of targets in Israel including military areas, Saree added.

Dig deeper: Read my report on the United States reclassifying the Houthis as terrorists earlier this year.