Reports from international news agencies and official statements from Israeli or Houthi military sources

Houthi Hypersonic Missiles Hit Tel Aviv, Five Injured as Israeli Defenses Fail

Dec 21, 2024, 02:04 AM

Yemen's Houthi group claimed responsibility for launching two hypersonic ballistic missiles, named 'Palestine-2', targeting sensitive military sites in Tel Aviv and Jaffa. The missiles were reportedly launched in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes on Yemen's capital, Sana'a, and the port city of Al Hudaydah. Israeli authorities confirmed that a ballistic missile fired from Yemen was intercepted over central Israel; however, later reports indicate that Israeli air defenses failed to intercept a subsequent missile, which impacted in a playground between apartment buildings in central Tel Aviv. The impact caused damage to nearby buildings and minor injuries to at least five people from shrapnel. One of the missiles struck a school in the Ramat Efal area, causing property damage. The Houthis' military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, released footage of the missile launches and stated that their attacks would continue as long as Israeli strikes on Gaza and Yemen persisted. The Israeli Defense Forces acknowledged the failed interception attempts.