SANAA, Yemen 

The Yemeni Houthi group threatened on Friday to escalate its operations and strike “highly sensitive” targets in Israel.

“As long as you continue your attacks in Gaza, be assured that our armed forces’ operations are continuously escalating,” Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a member of the group’s Supreme Political Council, told large crowds at a demonstration in the capital Sanaa in support of Gaza.

“Today’s operation, which reached the heart of your decision-making center (Tel Aviv), is just one of these advanced operations, and they will continue,” he added.

Addressing Israel, he warned: “We must also draw your attention to the fact that we will strike very, very sensitive targets.”

Early Friday morning, the Houthi group launched a surprise attack, marking the first instance of a bomb-laden drone targeting Tel Aviv.

Through its military spokesman, Yahya Saree, the Houthi group declared Tel Aviv an “unsafe area” and a “primary target for its weapons.”

At least one Israeli was killed and 10 others were injured in the drone attack.

Following the attack, an unnamed senior official told the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth that “Israel will respond to the Houthi drone strike (on Tel Aviv).”

“The option of an attack on Yemeni soil is on the table,” the official added, considering a potential retaliatory attack.

Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said the drone that hit Tel Aviv was an Iranian-made Samad-3 model, and it is believed to have been launched from Yemen.

There has been no immediate response from the Iranian side concerning Hagari's claims.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio