Suspected Hezbollah Drone Attack on Tel Aviv, 1 Dead

An explosion shook central Tel Aviv early Friday morning following a suspected drone strike by Hezbollah, resulting in one death and at least 10 injuries, according to authorities.

Shrapnel from the blast scattered across the area, prompting heightened security measures.

The Israeli military is investigating the incident, initially identifying it as caused by “an aerial target.” Details on how the drone bypassed Israel’s air defenses remain unclear. Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai referred to the incident as a drone attack on social media, although the military has not officially confirmed this.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the city was placed on high alert. Yemen’s Houthi rebels have previously launched drone and missile attacks toward Israel in support of Hamas, all of which had been intercepted until now.

The strike followed Israel's military announcement of an airstrike that killed a Hezbollah commander in southern Lebanon. Israel has primarily focused on its conflict with Hamas and Hezbollah, allowing allies to address threats from the Houthis.

Israel said Ali Jaafar Maatuk, a commander of the Radwan Force's operations unit, was eliminated in the attack, along with another commander responsible for Radwan’s operations in the Hajir region. “The strikes targeted Radwan Force command centers in Jmaijmeh and Majdal Selm, southern Lebanon, also eliminating additional terrorists,” the country’s armed forces added.

The attack occurred amidst international efforts to negotiate a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, potentially leading to the release of 120 hostages held in Gaza. Israeli officials hinted that military operations in Rafah are nearing completion, though tensions rose after Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited a sensitive holy site in Jerusalem.

The explosion was reported at approximately 3:10 a.m., affecting nearby cities. Tel Aviv District Commander Peretz Amar noted that the blast's origin appeared to be airborne, causing widespread but moderate damage.

Israel's multilayered aerial defense system has intercepted projectiles during the ongoing conflict, though officials acknowledge its limitations against small drones.

The war in Gaza, initiated by Hamas’ attack on October 7, has resulted in over 38,600 deaths, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The humanitarian crisis has displaced most of Gaza's 2.3 million residents, while around 120 hostages remain captive, with some feared dead.