Israeli authorities confirmed that a projectile fired from Yemen struck Tel Aviv overnight into Saturday, marking a rare instance of a failed interception in the city. The missile landed in Tel Aviv’s southern Jaffa district, and despite the activation of air defense systems, the attempt to intercept the missile was unsuccessful.
The Israeli military reported that the projectile’s remains were found in the area. At least 16 people were injured by glass shards from nearby buildings, according to Israel’s Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency services. Additionally, 14 people sought treatment for minor injuries sustained while taking shelter, while seven others experienced panic-related health issues.
Tel Aviv, Israel’s commercial and diplomatic hub, is rarely hit directly by projectiles due to the extensive air defense systems in place. Since the start of the conflict with Hamas in Gaza in October 2023, Israel has been targeted by missiles from Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and even Iran. Fortunately, Israel’s air defense systems have intercepted most of these attacks.
The ongoing war in Gaza has caused a humanitarian catastrophe, with tens of thousands of casualties. Attacks on Lebanon have also resulted in approximately 4,000 deaths. The Houthis have been actively targeting ships in the Red Sea, a critical global shipping route, claiming these attacks are in response to Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The Houthis, Hezbollah, and Hamas are part of an Iran-aligned coalition that has continuously targeted Israel and its allies throughout the ongoing conflict. These groups have stated they will continue their assaults until a ceasefire is reached in Gaza.
The conflict was ignited by Hamas’s deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which left over 1,000 Israelis dead and hundreds taken hostage. On Thursday, Israel’s military intercepted another missile fired from Yemen, with its shrapnel causing significant damage to a school near Tel Aviv.
