Israeli airstrikes struck Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, on Sunday in retaliation for Houthi-fired missiles aimed at Israel, leaving six dead and 86 wounded, according to a Houthi Health Ministry official. The attacks mark the latest escalation in over a year of cross-border strikes between Israel and Houthi militants, part of the broader fallout from the ongoing Gaza conflict.
The Israeli military said the strikes targeted a military compound that houses the presidential palace, two power plants, and a fuel storage site. “These operations were in response to repeated attacks by the Houthi terrorist regime against Israel and its civilians, including the launching of surface-to-surface missiles and UAVs toward Israeli territory in recent days,” the military stated.
On Friday, the Houthis claimed to have fired a ballistic missile toward Israel in support of Palestinians in Gaza. An Israeli Air Force official noted the missile likely carried multiple sub-munitions designed to detonate on impact, calling it the first time such a missile had been launched from Yemen.
Since Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in Gaza began in October 2023, Iran-aligned Houthi forces have attacked Red Sea vessels in solidarity with Palestinians and regularly fired missiles toward Israel, most of which were intercepted. Israel has responded with airstrikes on Houthi-controlled regions, including the strategic Hodeidah port.
Abdul Qader al-Murtada, a senior Houthi official, vowed that the Houthis, who control much of Yemen’s population, would continue supporting Palestinians in Gaza. “Israel must know we will not abandon our brothers in Gaza, whatever the sacrifices,” he stated on X.
