TEL AVIV (Reuters) – The Israeli military said it was investigating an apparent drone strike that struck central Tel Aviv early on Friday but did not trigger an air raid siren.
The explosion came hours after the Israeli military confirmed the killing of a senior commander of the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia in southern Lebanon.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the explosion in Tel Aviv was caused by a falling target from the air and that no alarm was activated,” the military said in a statement. “The incident is being thoroughly reviewed.”
The company said it had stepped up air patrols to protect Israeli airspace but said it had not ordered new civil defense measures.
Yemen’s Houthi armed forces, like Hezbollah, are supported by Iran, and their military spokesman said on the X social media website that the organization would reveal details of the military operation against Tel Aviv.
Police said the body of a man was found in an apartment near the explosion site and said they were investigating the situation.
Video from the scene showed broken glass strewn on city sidewalks and crowds of onlookers gathered near a building bearing signs of the blast. The scene has been cordoned off by police.
Hezbollah and the Houthis have stepped up attacks on Israeli and Western targets, saying they are showing solidarity with the Palestinians following Israel’s invasion of the Gaza Strip after Hamas militants attacked southern Israel.
