The Israeli military announced that it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen early this morning, just one day after fresh air strikes targeted the Houthi-held capital, Sana’a.
Sirens were activated in areas of Jerusalem and the Dead Sea as the Israeli military reported that “a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted… before crossing into Israeli territory.”
Yesterday, a new air strike hit Sana’a, which Houthi rebels attributed to “US-British aggression,” although it remains uncertain who was responsible.
No statements have been made by Israel, the United States, or Britain regarding the incidents.
Since the onset of war in Gaza in October of last year, the Houthis—asserting solidarity with the Palestinians—have launched a series of missiles and drones towards Israel.
Their attacks have intensified since the ceasefire in November between Israel and another Iran-backed group, Hezbollah, in Lebanon.
Israel has also conducted strikes in Yemen, including targeting Sana’a’s international airport on Thursday, coinciding with the head of the World Health Organization’s scheduled departure.
Additionally, the Houthis have attacked commercial shipping in the Red Sea, which has prompted retaliatory strikes from the United States and occasionally Britain.
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Earlier yesterday, prior to the strike on Sana’a, tens of thousands gathered to protest and show solidarity with Palestinians.
The strike on Sana’a’s international airport on Thursday resulted in shattered windows and left the control tower in ruins.
A witness reported to AFP that the raids also targeted the nearby Al-Dailami air base, which uses the same runway as the airport.
“The attack has resulted in four fatalities so far and around 20 injuries among staff, airport personnel, and passengers,” mentioned Houthi Deputy Transport Minister Yahya al-Sayani.
This incident occurred while Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the UN’s World Health Organization, was preparing to depart and resulted in one UN crew member being injured.
Dr. Tedros was in Yemen to negotiate the release of UN personnel held for months by the Houthis and to evaluate the humanitarian situation. He later confirmed via social media that he and his team had safely arrived in Jordan.
He reported that the injured member of the UN’s Humanitarian Air Service “underwent successful surgery and is currently in stable condition.”
Thousands gathered in Sanaa to protest against Israel
An Israeli statement indicated that its targets included “military infrastructure” at the airport and power plants in both Sana’a and Hodeida—a primary entry point for humanitarian aid—as well as various facilities at several ports.
The statement claimed that the Houthis utilize these locations “to smuggle Iranian weapons into the region and to facilitate the entry of senior Iranian officials.”
Conversely, UN humanitarian coordinator Julien Harneis emphasized that the airport is “a civilian location” used by the UN, and the strikes occurred while “a packed civilian airliner from Yemenia Air, carrying hundreds of Yemenis, was approaching for landing.”
Although the aircraft “was able to land safely… the situation could have been far, far worse,” remarked Mr. Harneis.
In his latest warning to the Houthis, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel’s strikes would “continue until the job is done.”
“We are committed to eliminating this branch of terrorism from the Iranian axis of evil,” he asserted in a video message.
Despite the damage inflicted, flights at Sana’a airport have resumed operations.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the escalation of hostilities, asserting that bombing transportation infrastructure jeopardizes humanitarian efforts in Yemen, where 80% of the populace relies on aid.
The United Nations has labeled Yemen “the largest humanitarian crisis in the world,” with 24.1 million individuals in dire need of humanitarian assistance and protection.
After the attack on Sana’a airport, the Houthis announced that they launched a missile at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv and sent drones toward the city and a vessel in the Arabian Sea.
On the same day, the Israeli military reported that a missile fired from Yemen was intercepted.
A Houthi statement released on Friday claimed that Israeli “aggression will only strengthen the determination and resolve of the great Yemeni people to continue supporting the Palestinian people.”
