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Missile from Yemen strikes Tel Aviv, injuring 16 as Israel fails to intercept

Missile from Yemen strikes Tel Aviv, injuring 16 as Israel fails to intercept Israeli emergency responders transport a ladder at the site where a projectile fired from Yemen landed, in Tel Aviv early on December 21, 2024. (AFP Photo)
By Newsroom
Dec 21, 2024 8:51 AM

A missile launched from Yemen early Saturday struck the Tel Aviv-Jaffa area, resulting in 16 people sustaining light injuries, according to Israel’s Magen David Adom (MDA) ambulance service.

The Israeli military confirmed that interception attempts by its aerial defense systems, including the Iron Dome, were unsuccessful.

MDA Spokesperson, “Update on the rocket fire toward central Israel: So far, a total of 14 injured in the Tel Aviv-Jaffa area. MDA EMTs and paramedics are providing medical treatment and evacuating 14 people in mild condition, injured by glass shards, to hospital.”

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Details of the missile strike against Tel Aviv

  • Origin of attack: The missile was launched from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen.
  • Impact location: It struck an area in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, causing damage to nearby buildings.
  • Casualties: MDA reported that 16 individuals were lightly injured, mostly due to broken glass from shattered windows.
  • Military response: The Israeli military acknowledged the failure of interception systems and said efforts to prevent such incidents are ongoing.

Yosef Kourdi, an MDA medic, described the scene: “I was at home and heard a loud explosion. I immediately went to the site and saw significant blast damage to nearby buildings. MDA teams provided medical care to those lightly injured by glass shards.”

Missile from Yemen strikes Tel Aviv, injuring 16 as Israel fails to intercept
This picture shows a crater left behind in Tel Aviv as a result of a projectile fired from Yemen early on December 21, 2024. – Israel’s military said on December 21, it had failed to intercept a “projectile” launched from Yemen that landed in Tel Aviv, with the national medical service saying 16 people were lightly wounded. Yemen’s Iranian-backed Huthi rebels have repeatedly launched missile attacks against Israel since the war in Gaza began more than a year ago, most of which have been intercepted. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP)
Missile from Yemen strikes Tel Aviv, injuring 16 as Israel fails to intercept
This picture shows damage left behind in Tel Aviv as a result of a projectile fired from Yemen early on December 21, 2024. – Israel’s military said on December 21, it had failed to intercept a “projectile” launched from Yemen that landed in Tel Aviv, with the national medical service saying 16 people were lightly wounded. Yemen’s Iranian-backed Huthi rebels have repeatedly launched missile attacks against Israel since the war in Gaza began more than a year ago, most of which have been intercepted. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP)
Missile from Yemen strikes Tel Aviv, injuring 16 as Israel fails to intercept
This picture shows a crater left behind in Tel Aviv as a result of a projectile fired from Yemen early on December 21, 2024. – Israel’s military said on December 21, it had failed to intercept a “projectile” launched from Yemen that landed in Tel Aviv, with the national medical service saying 16 people were lightly wounded. Yemen’s Iranian-backed Huthi rebels have repeatedly launched missile attacks against Israel since the war in Gaza began more than a year ago, most of which have been intercepted. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP)
Missile from Yemen strikes Tel Aviv, injuring 16 as Israel fails to intercept
Israeli emergency responders inspect a crater at the site where a projectile fired from Yemen landed, in Tel Aviv early on December 21, 2024. – Israel’s military said on December 21, it had failed to intercept a “projectile” launched from Yemen that landed in Tel Aviv, with the national medical service saying 16 people were lightly wounded. Yemen’s Iranian-backed Huthi rebels have repeatedly launched missile attacks against Israel since the war in Gaza began more than a year ago, most of which have been intercepted. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP)

Houthis claim responsibility for the attack

The Iran-backed Houthis have claimed responsibility for the missile strike, framing it as an act of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

Hezam al-Asad, a member of the Houthi Supreme Political Council, stated in a series of posts that the successful missile strike highlights the vulnerability of Israel’s billion-dollar aerial defense systems.

“The failure of all Israeli defense systems means that the heart of the Zionist enemy is no longer secure,” said al-Asad.

Missile from Yemen strikes Tel Aviv, injuring 16 as Israel fails to intercept
Israeli emergency responders inspect the damage at the site where a projectile fired from Yemen landed, in Tel Aviv early on December 21, 2024. (AFP Photo)

Iron Dome under scrutiny

The Israeli Iron Dome defense system, praised globally for its interception capabilities, has faced rare failures in recent incidents. Analysts suggest that the increasing sophistication of Houthi missile technology may be posing new challenges for Israel’s defense infrastructure.

Last Updated:  Dec 21, 2024 8:52 AM