The death of a civilian following the fall of the UAV tonight in the heart of Tel Aviv, led journalists to attack the army for the fact that for 9 hours the air defence systems did not identify the suspected target, but only after the explosion did they realize the magnitude of the event.
News 12 journalist Almog Booker wrote: "After 9 months of war: 9 hours in the air. The explosion of the UAV is a crazy omission. The Israeli Air Force, with all its air defence systems, cannot wake up until after the UAV explodes and even then, and for many minutes not know that an aerial target has penetrated the heart of Israel."
Walla journalist Amer Bohbot wrote: "The Air Force was surprised by the intensity on 10/7. After more than nine months of intense war, they were surprised tonight as well? This issue must be investigated in depth. How much did we sleep on our noses and for what scenario did we prepare? What will happen tomorrow?"
Tonight at around 3:10 in Tel Aviv a loud explosion was heard in the centre of Tel Aviv, the sound of which reached as far as Rishon Lezion. The police received hundreds of complaints from citizens. At first the IDF denied that it was a UAV, but early in the morning it confirmed that it was an explosion of an aerial target that was not detected by the IDF's detection means.
At the scene on Shalom Aleichem St., corner of Ben Yehuda in Tel Aviv, a 50-year-old man was found without signs of life. MDA medics and paramedics provided medical treatment and evacuated 8 victims to the Wolfson and Ichilov hospitals, including: 4 shrapnel injuries, and 4 anxiety victims.
IDF: The matter is under thorough investigation
The IDF spokesman said: "A preliminary investigation shows that the explosion in Tel Aviv was caused by the fall of an aerial target, which did not trigger a warning. The matter is under in-depth investigation. Many forces are now operating there. The Air Force will increase the patrols of the planes operating to protect the country's skies. There is no change in the directives of the Home Front Command."