1 dead, several hurt in Tel Aviv explosion, Israeli officials say
A large explosion rumbled through the streets of central Tel Aviv early Friday morning, raining down shards of shrapnel and injuring at least 10 people, first responders said.
Israel’s military said that they were reviewing the explosion and increasing air patrols after the incident, which its initial inquiries determined was caused by “an aerial target.”
It was not immediately clear how the strike evaded Israel’s air defenses or how Israel might respond.
Israel’s emergency response service said at least 10 people were being treated for injuries, while a 50-year-old man was pronounced dead after the attack.
GIL COHEN-MAGEN/AFP via Getty Images
Based on verified social media footage, CBS News confirmed that the blast occurred a little over 200 yards from the U.S. Embassy’s Tel Aviv branch office.
A U.S. official told CBS News there were no reports of American casualties. Multiple U.S. officials told CBS News that the origin of the attack was still being determined.
Yemen’s Houthis have repeatedly launched drones and missiles toward Israel throughout the nine-month-long war in sympathy with Hamas. But until Friday, all were intercepted by either Israel or Western allies with forces stationed in the region.
Israel has so far not made attacks on the Houthis, allowing its allies instead to take the lead as it focuses its efforts on the war in Gaza and ongoing fighting with Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group.
