A missile fired from Yemen struck Tel Aviv early Saturday, a rare example of a failed interception in the city. According to Israeli emergency services, the projectile landed in the Jaffa area south of Tel Aviv, damaging and injuring at least 16 people. Although no casualties were reported, several residents suffered minor injuries, mostly from flying glass and seeking shelter during the attack.
The missile attack came after sirens were sounded in Israel’s commercial and diplomatic center of Tel Aviv. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) attempted to intercept the incoming missile, but the interception failed, thanks to the city’s advanced air defense system, including the Iron Dome, which normally provides effective protection against such threats.
In a statement, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for the attack, saying they fired a hypersonic ballistic missile called “Palestine 2” at Israeli military targets in the Jaffa area. The group claimed the missile hit its target accurately and that Israel’s defense systems failed to intercept the attack.
Israel’s Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency services reported at least 16 people injured, most suffering from minor injuries caused by shards of glass when the blast shattered windows. In addition to these injuries, 14 people were treated for minor injuries sustained while taking cover, and another seven were treated for panic-related issues.
One resident, Beth Shahai, 69, said she heard the sirens but was unable to reach a shelter before the missile exploded. “The missile exploded before I had time to escape,” she told Reuters.
The missile strike is a rare example of a direct hit on Tel Aviv, which is usually repelled by Israel’s strong air defense system. The attack is seen as a significant escalation as the Houthis increasingly target Israeli interests in retaliation for the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Failure to intercept a missile highlights weaknesses 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.