In a deadly drone attack early Friday, Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck central Tel Aviv, killing one person and wounding at least ten others near the United States Embassy. The attack sent shrapnel and glass flying across the area, marking the first successful hit by the Houthis on Tel Aviv after several attempts that were previously intercepted by Israeli or Western defense systems amid the Israel-Hamas Conflict.
Yahya Sare’e, spokesperson for the Houthis, claimed the strike was a retaliation for the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and demonstrated the capability of their new drones to bypass Israel’s defenses. An Israeli military official attributed the successful strike to “human error” and condemned it as a deliberate attack on civilians.
UN Court Declares Israel’s Occupation Illegal
On the same day, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a non-binding opinion declaring Israel’s presence in the occupied Palestinian territories unlawful. The court stated that Israel could not claim sovereignty over these territories and was violating Palestinians’ right to self-determination. This ruling is separate from South Africa’s genocide charge against Israel regarding the war in Gaza, which Israel denies.
The ICJ highlighted various Israeli policies, including settlement construction and resource exploitation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, as violations of international law. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the ruling, asserting that these regions are part of the Jewish homeland.
Ongoing Gaza Conflict and International Responses
The conflict, which escalated following Hamas’ October 7 attack that killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and abducted 250, has resulted in over 38,800 deaths in Gaza, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with most of its 2.3 million residents living in overcrowded tent camps amid limited aid due to ongoing hostilities and restrictions.
In Gaza, a tragic incident saw a pregnant woman, Ola al-Kurd, killed in an Israeli airstrike. Her baby boy, delivered posthumously, survived but required intensive care. This airstrike was part of a broader offensive that killed 14 people in the Nuseirat refugee camp.
International and Regional Reactions
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the Tel Aviv drone attack, urging restraint to prevent further escalation. Meanwhile, Jordan and the UK responded to the ICJ ruling, with Jordan welcoming it as a step towards Palestinian justice and the UK considering its stance carefully.
The UK also announced the restoration of funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian aid, reversing a previous suspension. Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized the necessity of humanitarian aid and called for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Other Developments
Adidas faced backlash from Israel over its campaign featuring supermodel Bella Hadid, due to her pro-Palestinian stance and the campaign’s perceived insensitivity to the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre. Adidas apologized and announced revisions to the campaign.
In Lebanon, Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes that killed several of its members. The ongoing border conflict has resulted in significant casualties on both sides.
As international efforts continue to mediate peace between the Israel-Hamas conflict, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken expressed cautious optimism about a potential ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel, though he acknowledged the challenges in finalizing the agreement.