A missile fired from Yemen struck Tel Aviv early on Saturday, marking a rare instance of a failed interception over the city. The projectile landed in Tel Aviv’s southern Jaffa area, causing damage and injuring at least 16 people, according to Israeli emergency services. While no fatalities were reported, several residents sustained minor injuries, mostly from flying glass and seeking shelter during the attack.
The missile strike occurred after sirens were triggered in Tel Aviv, Israel’s commercial and diplomatic hub. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) attempted to intercept the incoming missile, but the interception failed, a rare occurrence given the city’s advanced air defense systems, including the Iron Dome, which typically provides effective protection against such threats.
In a statement, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for the attack, saying they fired a hypersonic ballistic missile, named “Palestine 2,” aimed at Israeli military targets in the Jaffa area. The group asserted that the missile struck its target accurately and that Israel’s defense systems failed to prevent the attack.
Israel’s Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency services reported that at least 16 people were injured, with the majority suffering from minor wounds caused by glass shards when windows were shattered by the blast. In addition to these injuries, 14 people were treated for slight injuries sustained while taking cover, and seven others were treated for panic-related issues.
One resident, 69-year-old Beth Shahai, recounted hearing the sirens but being unable to reach shelter before the missile exploded. “The missile exploded before I had time to flee,” she told Reuters.
This missile strike is a rare instance of a direct hit in Tel Aviv, which has generally been shielded by Israel’s robust air defense systems. The attack is seen as a significant escalation, as the Houthis have increasingly targeted Israeli interests in retaliation for the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The missile’s failure to be intercepted highlights vulnerabilities in even the most advanced defense systems.
Israeli officials have vowed to strengthen their defense capabilities in response to this and similar attacks, while tensions in the region continue to rise.
