An explosive-laden drone, launched by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, struck an apartment building in Tel Aviv early Friday morning at 3:12 am, killing an Israeli man and wounding several others. The Israeli Air Force had identified the drone but did not engage it due to human error, resulting in no warning sirens being sounded for Tel Aviv residents. The drone, identified as an Iranian-made Samad-3, reached Tel Aviv from Yemen, killing 50-year-old Yevgeny Ferder, who worked at Momo’s hotel nearby.
Eight people were hospitalized, four with shrapnel wounds and four for anxiety. The impact site was near several hotels and the U.S. Embassy branch office. The Houthis claimed responsibility, stating their attack was in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza war. The Israeli military admitted the incident “shouldn’t have happened” and promised to increase patrols and investigate the failure.
IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari emphasized the persistent threat posed by UAVs, noting that many have been launched from Yemen, with most intercepted by American or Israeli defenses. He highlighted that, so far, dozens of UAVs have been launched from Yemen, with most intercepted by U.S. CENTCOM forces or Israeli air defenses.
Hagari mentioned that around the same time as the Tel Aviv incident, another UAV attempting to infiltrate from the east was successfully intercepted outside of Israel’s borders. The IDF is investigating any connection between the two incidents. In response to these events, the IDF has increased air patrols and is strengthening airspace protection measures across the country. Despite these challenges, Hagari confirmed that there are no changes in the Home Front Command directives, and any necessary updates will be promptly communicated to the public.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant vowed to respond and strengthen defense systems. Meanwhile, Tel Aviv’s mayor raised the city’s alert level, urging the public to stay vigilant.
The Saudi Al-Arabiya channel has reported that the United States successfully intercepted a ballistic missile and three suicide drones launched by the Houthis from Yemen toward Israel. Despite these efforts, a fourth drone managed to evade interception and reached Tel Aviv, where it exploded. Reports suggest human error is to blame for not sounding alarms or intercepting the long-range missile.
Later, the IDF announced that Hezbollah has launched 65 rockets from Lebanon at northern Israel today, with Hezbollah claiming it was in response to recent IDF strikes in Southern Lebanon. The Iron Dome intercepted several rockets, with others landing in open areas. No injuries were reported.
In retaliation, the IDF shelled the launch sites with artillery and conducted a drone strike on a rocket launcher used in an attack. IDF fighter jets targeted Hezbollah weapons depots in Blida and Houla.
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