16 hurt as Houthi missile hits Tel Aviv

A missile fired from Yemen by Iran-backed Houthi rebels struck Israel's commercial hub of Tel Aviv before dawn on Dec 21, wounding 16 people in the second such attack within days.

TEL AVIV -

Israel's military said it had failed to intercept the projectile, which hit a district of Tel Aviv municipality, forcing many residents to leave their homes in the early hours of Dec 21.

Yemen's Houthi rebels later claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it used a ballistic missile that was directed at "a military target of the Israeli enemy".

The Houthis have repeatedly launched missile attacks against Israel in solidarity with Palestinians since the war in Gaza began more than a year ago, most of which have been intercepted.

In return, Israel has struck multiple targets in Yemen - including ports and energy facilities in areas controlled by the Houthis.

"Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in central Israel, one projectile launched from Yemen was identified and unsuccessful interception attempts were made," the Israeli military said on its Telegram channel.

In a separate statement later in the day, the military called the missile strike "yet another clear example of Israeli civilians being deliberately targeted".

Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel's emergency medical service, said 16 people were lightly injured.