The Israeli military confirmed that it failed to intercept a missile fired from Yemen early Saturday, which landed in the Tel Aviv-Jaffa area. The Magen David Adom ambulance service reported 14 individuals sustained mild injuries, primarily from shrapnel, with some requiring hospital treatment.
The Iran-aligned Houthi movement claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that a ballistic missile targeted a "military site" in the Jaffa area. The missile strike marks a continuation of Houthi actions in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, as the group has frequently launched drones and missiles toward Israel in recent months.
In response to Houthi aggression, Israel launched airstrikes on Thursday targeting ports and energy infrastructure in Houthi-controlled regions of Yemen. Israel has warned of further retaliatory measures against the group. The Houthis' latest strike comes amid heightened tensions following Israeli strikes in Gaza.
Israeli airstrikes on Friday claimed the lives of at least 25 Palestinians, including eight individuals in an apartment in the Nuseirat refugee camp and ten others, seven of them children, in Jabalia. The ongoing conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, after Hamas-led fighters launched a deadly attack on Israeli communities, has left over 45,000 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza authorities. The bombardment has displaced much of Gaza's 2.3 million residents, leaving the territory in ruins.
Israel's initial response to the Hamas-led assault, which killed 1,200 Israelis and resulted in over 250 hostages taken, has been sustained by military operations. Israeli officials estimate that about 100 hostages remain in captivity, though the number of survivors is uncertain.
Efforts to broker a ceasefire remain inconclusive. Mediators from Qatar and Egypt have reportedly narrowed some differences between Israel and Hamas, but significant challenges persist in reaching an agreement.
The escalating violence underscores the deepening crisis in the region, with international observers calling for urgent measures to de-escalate the situation.