In a significant escalation, Israel conducted airstrikes targeting multiple positions linked to the Houthi movement in Yemen on Thursday. Among the sites hit was Sanaa International Airport, resulting in the deaths of six individuals, according to Houthi media sources.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organization, revealed that he was about to board a plane at the airport when it was attacked. The assault injured a crew member aboard the aircraft.
The Israeli military expanded its operations beyond the airport, striking military infrastructure at Yemen's ports of Hodeidah, Salif, and Ras Kanatib, as well as the Hezyaz and Ras Kanatib power stations on the west coast.
Yemen's Saba news agency reported that three individuals lost their lives in the airport strikes and another three in Hodeidah, with an additional 40 wounded in the attacks.
Responding swiftly, the Houthis declared their readiness to retaliate and engage in escalation with escalation, as reported by Houthi-run Al Masirah TV.
In a show of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, the Houthis have previously deployed drones and missiles towards Israel.
Following the airstrikes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz committed to targeting Houthi leaders and dismantling the group's military capabilities in a joint video statement. "We will hunt down all the Houthi leaders and strike them, just as we have done elsewhere," Katz asserted. "No one will escape Israel's long arm. We will strike them to eliminate threats against Israel," he added.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
