The Israeli military has conducted what it describes as its “most powerful strike” in Yemen in response to ongoing drone and missile attacks by the Houthi movement. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) report that dozens of aircraft targeted Houthi security, intelligence, and military sites in the capital, Sanaa. The Houthi-run health ministry criticized the strikes as a “brutal crime,” claiming they led to eight fatalities and numerous injuries, including civilians.

This escalation follows a Houthi drone attack that injured 22 people in the Israeli resort town of Eilat. The Houthis, who have controlled much of north-western Yemen since a civil war began a decade ago, have claimed their attacks on Israel are in support of Palestinians amid the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Videos from Sanaa showed large smoke plumes rising after the Israeli airstrikes. The strikes reportedly hit residential areas and the Dhahban power station. Health ministry spokesman Dr. Anees al-Asbahi accused the IDF of systematically targeting civilian facilities. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the strikes were against Houthi terror targets, emphasizing Israel’s intent to respond to the ongoing threats.

This conflict has intensified since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, with the IDF asserting that it has intercepted over 98% of Houthi drone incursions.



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