Yemen's Houthis claim Israel attack after 'projectile' lands in Tel Aviv area
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for a missile attack in central Israel on Saturday after the Israeli military acknowledged it failed to intercept a projectile that hit Tel Aviv, lightly injuring 16 people.
Israel's military said Saturday 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.
In a statement, the Houthis said they had "targeted a military target of the Israeli enemy in the occupied area of" Tel Aviv using a ballistic missile.
The Iran-backed Yemeni group has repeatedly launched missile attacks against Israel since the war in Gaza began more than a year ago, most of which have been intercepted.
In return, Israel has struck multiple targets in Yemen – including ports and energy facilities in areas controlled by the Houthis.
"Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in central Israel, one projectile launched from Yemen was identified and unsuccessful interception attempts were made," the Israeli military said on its Telegram channel.
Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel's emergency medical service, said 16 people were injured.
"I was at home and heard a loud explosion. I immediately went to the scene and saw significant blast damage to nearby buildings," medic Yosef Kourdi was quoted as saying in a statement released by MDA.
On December 9, a drone claimed by Houthis exploded on the top floor of a residential building in the central Israel city of Yavne, causing no casualties.
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