Yemen’s Houthi rebels reported that at least nine people were killed in Israeli strikes on the country’s rebel-held capital, Sanaa. This attack marks the latest escalation in the increasing exchanges between Israel and the Iranian-backed rebels amid the war in Gaza.
The strikes occurred on Thursday afternoon, just one day after a drone launched by the Houthis wounded 22 people in the southern Israeli city of Eilat—a rare breach of Israel’s air defenses.
According to the health ministry in the Houthi-controlled northern half of Yemen, which includes Sanaa, among the dead were four children, two women, and three elderly individuals. Rebel officials also stated that 59 children, 35 women, and 80 older people were among the wounded. Medics continued searching for victims believed to be trapped under rubble, indicating that the casualty toll could rise.
Houthi spokesman Omar el-Bekhety condemned the attacks, stating, “These crimes will not deter our people or break their will but will increase their steadfastness and resilience in confronting the Zionist crimes and continuing to support and back the honourable, oppressed, free people of Gaza.”
The Israeli military confirmed on Thursday that it had carried out airstrikes in Yemen, deploying dozens of aircraft to target Houthi military command headquarters, military camps, and security and intelligence facilities.
In response, Omar el-Bekhety claimed that the Israeli strikes targeted residential neighborhoods and electrical facilities. He also said that Houthi defense systems had thwarted a significant part of the attack.
According to residents of Sanaa, one of the strikes hit a building in a densely populated area of the city, believed to have housed a Houthi leader. However, this claim could not be independently verified by The Associated Press.
Ahmed al-Mahweity, a local resident, told reporters on Friday that the strikes had set off intense explosions, damaging several houses in the neighborhood. Another resident, Selim Rageh, added that several cars were also damaged in the attack.
Israel has previously launched airstrikes in response to the Houthis firing missiles and drones at Israeli territory. For more than 22 months, the Houthis have targeted Israel with missiles and drones and attacked ships in the Red Sea, citing solidarity with Palestinians during the conflict in Gaza.
https://www.breakingnews.ie/world/nine-killed-and-scores-injured-in-israeli-strikes-on-yemen-say-houthi-rebels-1811302.html