Drone Attack on Tel Aviv Claimed by Houthis Leaves One Dead

The Houthis of Yemen, a rebel group supported by the Islamic Republic, have claimed responsibility for sending an explosive drone to Tel Aviv, which resulted in one death. The drone struck the Tel Aviv-Jaffa area at 3:12 AM local time on Friday, July 29, establishing a state of emergency. This marks one of the most significant attacks on Tel Aviv since the onset of the Gaza war. The Chief of Staff of the Israeli army held a situation assessment meeting regarding this unprecedented drone attack on central Israel. The U.S. Embassy in Israel also stated it is closely monitoring the situation. Yahya Saree, a spokesperson for Ansar Allah, the military branch of the Houthis allied with Iran, announced early Friday that a 'quality attack' had been carried out against Tel Aviv. Residents of Tel Aviv gathered in the explosion area. Since shortly after the Gaza war began, the Houthis have conducted missile and drone attacks towards the southern Israeli port of Eilat in support of the extremist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, with missiles being intercepted before entering Israeli airspace; apparently, only one drone caused minor damage to a naval base in Eilat last autumn. Hamas, the group allied with the Houthis and Tehran, is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the European Union. The Israeli army's war against Hamas in Gaza has been ongoing for over nine months. Yoav Gallant, Israel's Minister of Defense, stated after a meeting with Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, Military Intelligence Commander Aharon Haliva, and Air Force Commander Omer Tishler that he conducted a situation assessment to closely monitor necessary actions to strengthen air defense systems. Mr. Gallant added that Israel will settle accounts with anyone who harms the country and seeks to create terror within it. Israeli media described the Minister of Defense's remarks as a warning to the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Houthis allied with Tehran. Meanwhile, Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the drones used by the Houthis were 'upgraded in Iran and sent from Yemen.' Israeli media quoted military officials stating that they had no information regarding the potential for a drone attack on Israel, and the fact that the drone was identified in the skies over Tel Aviv but not intercepted was due to 'human error.' According to Israel's emergency rescue organization, a 50-year-old man was severely injured in one of the buildings where the drone struck and died from his injuries. The report indicated a 'deep shrapnel penetration' into the deceased man's body. The report stated that eight others who were injured were transferred to central hospitals. Haaretz reported nine injuries. An Israeli army spokesperson announced that the drone penetration that led to the explosion did not trigger the attack warning siren, and this error is also under investigation. Numerous security forces from the police and other Israeli agencies arrived at the explosion site to investigate, and officials ordered an increase in air defense readiness. The air force intensified its aerial patrols following the incident, but it was announced that no special orders regarding civilian life in Israel were issued. Tel Aviv police forces are inspecting the drone explosion area. Ron Huldai, the mayor of Tel Aviv-Jaffa, announced that an emergency situation has been established in this central area of Israel in coordination with security agencies. He added, 'We are still facing a war that is tough and painful.' He stated that the municipality is preparing for potential developments and urged the public to follow the instructions of security agencies. U.S. media reported that the site of the drone explosion was not far from the U.S. Embassy branch in Tel Aviv, located on the Mediterranean coast in the city. A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department stated that the U.S. Embassy branch in Tel Aviv was not damaged and that there are no reports of injuries to the American team in the area. The State Department added that it is in contact with Israeli security agencies to fully investigate this incident. The spokesperson in Washington also stated that the U.S. will continue to provide consular services to all American citizens in Israel. Al Arabiya reported that the Houthis sent four drones towards Israel early Friday, three of which were intercepted, and one drone entered Tel Aviv's airspace. According to Israeli media, despite the Houthis claiming responsibility for sending the drone, Israel is investigating the possibility that another actor was involved in the drone's dispatch. The Islamic Republic of Iran had previously launched over 80 drones towards Israel in a direct military attack from the sky and land of Iran on April 14 of this year, but none of them entered Israeli airspace and were all destroyed in the skies over Iraq or Jordan.