AT LEAST one person has reportedly died after a drone attack in Tel Aviv as Iran-backed Houthi rebels claim responsibility for the “military operation”.
The blast left a building crumbling and shards of glass raining down onto the streets near the US Embassy with 10 people being rushed to hospital, according to Israel’s national emergency agency.
The explosion happened at around 3:15am on Friday morning with pictures showing the blast left windows shattered and debris falling from multi-storey buildings.
Chilling footage shows the moment the strike hits as a huge fireball erupts over the cities skyline.
A 37-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman were reportedly hit by glass shrapnel – leaving them needing medical treatment.
A man was found dead in an apartment near to the explosion with police investigating whether it was related to the blast.
The Israeli military says it has opened up an investigation into the explosion as an official said a “very big” drone was used in the attack.
It was a terror attack with the target being to kill civilians, an Israeli spokesperson added.
Air patrols have also been increased over the city.
Israeli officials say “human error” led to the missile not being intercepted by their air defence systems.
Waring sirens were also not sounded – leaving residents fleeing buildings to safety.
Many were forced out onto the streets as they watched thick plumes of smoke in the sky after the explosion erupted.
Tel Aviv District Commander Peretz Amar said officers haven’t been able to locate the exact point of contact of the blast yet.
A Houthi spokesperson announced today: “The UAV force of the Yemeni Armed Forces, with the help of Allah Almighty, carried out a specific military operation, which consisted of targeting one of the important targets in the occupied Jaffa region, what is now called Israeli Tel Aviv.
“The operation was carried out with a new drone called Yafa which is capable of bypassing the enemy’s interception systems and undetectable by radars.
“The operation has achieved its goals successfully.”
The militant group claim the attack is in solidarity with terrorist organisation Hamas and the people of Gaza.
Gaza has faced daily bombardment from the Israeli military since the horrific October 7 massacre by Hamas that saw 1,200 people murdered.
Israel has vowed to continue to get revenge until all Hamas members are eliminated.
Just hours before the suspected drone strike Israel’s military confirmed they had killed a Hezbollah commander and other militants in an airstrike in southern Lebanon.
