Israel’s defence minister struck an ominous tone on Friday after an Iranian drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck Tel Aviv, telling Israeli media that Jerusalem would “finish it off”.
“This morning we conducted an operational situation assessment to consider what measures are needed to strengthen our defenses in light of last night’s events, as well as necessary intelligence and operational action against those responsible for the attack,” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a statement.
“2024 is a year of war. We have to be prepared for every scenario and every occasion.”
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant sits with defense officials after a Yemen-based Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv on July 19, 2024. (Itay Kedem/Israel Mod)
Explosion in Tel Aviv leaves one dead, many injured
The attack killed at least one person and wounded 10, raising questions about how it was possible to strike a coastal city given Israel’s robust air defenses.
Despite Israel’s precarious security situation amid its war with Hamas in Gaza, some of the drones launched by Yemen’s Houthi militias have not even been able to contact Eilat, Israel’s southernmost city on the Red Sea coast, about 160 miles south of Tel Aviv.
A pedestrian checks damage to an apartment window following a drone strike near the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, July 19, 2024. (Kobi Wolf/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Friday morning’s strike allowed the drone to safely cross Israel’s border, evade an array of air defenses and fly more than half the country before landing in Tel Aviv.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels use missiles and drones to attack two more ships in the Red Sea
IDF spokesman Maj. Gen. Daniel Hagari said an “error” had been made and that although the drone was detected, “no interception was launched” to thwart the attack.
“We are investigating the entire chain,” he said.
A different military spokesman told The Associated Press that the incident was a “human error.”
Israeli police are investigating an explosive drone attack that took place in Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, July 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Oded Balilti)
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“We are committed to protecting the Israeli people and our borders,” Hagari said. “Iran funds and arms terrorist organizations and directs attacks against Israel and the world. We will not allow Iran and its organizations to terrorize our civilians.”
Gallant said Israel was “striving to strengthen all of its defense mechanisms and will bring to justice anyone who seeks harm to the State of Israel.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
