In a startling development in central Tel Aviv, an apparent drone attack occurred without activating the city’s air raid sirens, prompting an immediate investigation by the Israeli military. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, followed closely after Israel confirmed the elimination of a senior Hezbollah commander in southern Lebanon.

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) revealed that the explosive-laden drone had been identified prior to the attack but was not intercepted due to human error. As a result, no defensive action was taken against the drone—described as a large, long-range attack UAV—and consequently, no warning sirens were sounded. This lapse allowed the drone to strike directly at an apartment in Tel Aviv at 3:12 a.m., entering the city from the direction of the sea.

“The incident is under thorough review,” stated the Israeli military, noting that air patrols have been increased to protect Israeli airspace, though no new civil defense measures have been ordered. The origin of the drone is still under investigation by the IAF, with potential launch sites being considered in Yemen, Iraq, or Syria.

The military spokesman for Yemen’s Houthi group, which are backed by Iran like Hezbollah, claimed responsibility for the attack on the social media platform X. This claim has not yet been verified by the IAF.

Local police reported finding the body of a man in an apartment close to the explosion site and are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death. Footage from the site showed broken glass strewn across city pavements and crowds of onlookers near a building bearing blast marks, which was promptly sealed off by police tape.