Israel: Authorities confirm at least one fatality, multiple injuries following explosion in central Tel Aviv early July 19 /update 2

Officials have confirmed at least one fatality and up to eight injuries following an explosion near Ben Yehuda and Shalom Aleichem streets in central Tel Aviv early July 19. The official toll could rise in the coming hours as emergency response continues. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that the blast was likely due to a drone strike that damaged several buildings and vehicles in the area. Emerging reports indicate that Al-Houthis in Yemen plan to issue a statement on a military operation targeting Tel Aviv.

Heightened security and localized business and transport disruptions are likely in the coming hours as security response and investigations continue. Retaliatory airstrikes by the IDF targeting Al-Houthi positions in Yemen are possible in the coming days.