At least 35 people were killed in Israeli air strikes on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen on Wednesday, according to the Iran-backed group's health ministry.
The Israeli military said it struck military targets in the capital Sanaa and al-Jawf province, including what it called the Houthis' military public relations headquarters, in response to recent missile and drone attacks on Israel.
However, the Houthis' military spokesman claimed that the strikes targeted civilian sites, asserting that journalists and bystanders were among those killed when the offices of two newspapers were hit.
In the early hours of Thursday, the Israeli military announced it had intercepted a missile launched from Yemen. The Houthis did not provide comments concerning the launch, although a leader from the group had vowed to respond with full force to the Israeli strikes.
Last month, an Israeli attack in Sanaa resulted in the death of the Houthi-run government's prime minister, Ahmed al-Rahawi, along with several cabinet ministers.
Videos shared on social media depicted thick plumes of smoke rising from the aftermath of the explosions in Sanaa, with first responders working through the rubble of damaged buildings.
The Israel Defense Forces stated that it targeted a range of military sites, indicating that these facilities were utilized in planning attacks against Israel. Since the intensification of the conflict following the onset of fighting between Israel and Hamas, the Houthis have reportedly launched numerous missile and drone attacks towards Israel, with varying degrees of success in intercepting these assaults.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the nation would continue its military operations against the Houthis as retaliation for their ongoing strikes, firmly stating, whoever strikes us will be reached.
In response to the escalation, Mahdi al-Mashat, the head of Yemen's Houthi Supreme Political Council, warned that all Israelis should remain vigilant, as retaliation against the strikes is imminent.
The Houthis have been in control of significant portions of northwestern Yemen since displacing the internationally recognized government a decade ago, leading to a prolonged civil war. Amid the current turmoil, the group has escalated attacks against Israel and international shipping in support of the Palestinian cause.
Both the US and UK have participated in air strikes targeting Houthi positions in response to the group’s attacks on international vessels, further complicating the conflict landscape in the region.
