Explosion in central Israel ‘likely’ drone launched from Yemen: army

A member of Israel’s security forces stands guard outside the residential building which was hit by a drone, likely launched from Yemen, on its top floor in the central Israeli city of Yavne, just south of Tel Aviv, on December 9, 2024. (AFP)

JERUSALEM — A drone, likely launched from Yemen, exploded on the top floor of a residential building in the central Israeli city of Yavne on Monday, causing no injuries, the Israeli army and emergency services said.

“Following the initial report, a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) that likely originated in Yemen impacted in the area of Yavne,” the army said.

A spokesperson for Israeli emergency service MDA said reports were received of “an explosion on the 15th floor balcony” of the building in Yavne, and that after a search, no injuries were reported.

Houthi rebels in Yemen, supported by Iran, have launched several attacks against Israel, saying they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has been at war with militant group Hamas for over a year.

In July, a Houthi drone attack in Tel Aviv killed an Israeli civilian, prompting retaliatory strikes on the Yemeni port of Hodeidah.

AN-AFP