Two days after Israel attacked Houthi targets in Yemen, the terror group launched a ballistic missile at central Israel in the pre-dawn hours of Shabbos morning, causing sirens to wail in numerous cities and sending millions of Israelis to their bomb shelters.

Several minutes later, the missile exploded in South Tel Aviv-Yaffo, leaving a crater in a playground between two residential buildings and shattering the windows of several apartments.

Sixteen people, including a three-year-old, were lightly injured by shattered glass, 14 people were injured while running to bomb shelters, and seven people suffered from shock. The victims were treated at the scene and evacuated to Woflson Hospital in Holon and Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv.

The IDF spokesperson said later that their interception attempts failed. On Motzei Shabbos, the IDF issued a statement saying that “Following an initial investigation by the Air Force and the Home Front Command on the fall of a missile launched from Yemen in the pre-dawn hours of the morning, the incident is still being thoroughly investigated. Some of the conclusions have already been implemented, both regarding interceptions and warning sirens.”

“It is not possible to provide further details regarding air defense operations and the alarm due to information security considerations. We emphasize that air defense is not airtight, and the public must continue to adhere to the guidelines of the Home Front Command.”

The incident occurred only two days after a Houthi missile hit a school in Ramat Gan, causing it to collapse.

(YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)