Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the attack, which they said was carried out “in support of the Palestinian people and in response to Israel’s massacre in Gaza.”
“The Yemeni Air Force carried out a high-quality military operation, which consisted of striking one of the important objects in the occupied area of Jaffa. [bairro palestiniano de Telavive]”The operation successfully achieved its objectives,” a Houthi military spokesman said.
Israel has stepped up security measures and warned that it will respond to the attack. “The IDF is working to immediately strengthen all defense systems and will settle scores with anyone who harms or terrorizes the State of Israel,” the Israeli Defense Minister assured.
The Houthi actions have prompted a heightened state of alert in Tel Aviv. Israel said the drone used was Iranian-made and was not intercepted due to “human error” that prevented “interception and defense systems” from working.
“No alarms were activated. This is part of what we are investigating. No alarm was sounded in Tel Aviv because it was not activated,” the army explained.
EUROPEAN UNION ASSISTANCE The EU has announced a €400 million aid package for the Palestinian Authority. The support will be delivered in three instalments between this month and September, always subject to an assessment of progress in its implementation. UNITED KINGDOM REFUGEES The British government is to resume funding for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, which was suspended in January over the alleged involvement of UN officials in a Hamas attack on Israel.