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 stated that it struck military targets in the capital Sanaa and al-Jawf province, including what it described as 'the Houthis' military public relations headquarters,' in response to recent missile and drone attacks on Israel.
However, the Houthis' military spokesman claimed the targets were civilian, stating that journalists and passersby were among those killed when the offices of two newspapers were struck.
In the early hours of Thursday, the Israeli military announced it had intercepted a missile launched from Yemen.
The Houthis refrained from commenting on the missile launch but have vowed to retaliate against Israeli strikes 'with all our might.'
Last month, an Israeli strike in Sanaa resulted in the death of Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi and several ministers.
Videos shared online on Wednesday depicted large plumes of black smoke rising from explosion sites in Sanaa, with first responders searching through rubble for survivors.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed it struck multiple military targets, asserting that the actions were in response to a series of assaults involving hundreds of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and missiles launched towards Israel over the past two years. Although many were intercepted, one drone strike hit an airport in southern Israel, resulting in injuries.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the need for continued air strikes against Houthi forces, reiterating the stance of defending Israeli sovereignty against attacks.
In a contrasting narrative, Houthi officials reported significant civilian damage, including casualties from strikes on medical stations and newspaper offices, suggesting that many more lives could be lost as search and rescue operations proceed.
This escalation in violence highlights the ongoing and complex dynamics of the conflict, compounded by the Houthi's discontent with Israeli actions since they began targeting Israel and international shipping following the onset of the Gaza conflict in October 2023.
