JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel bombed multiple targets linked to the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen on Thursday, including Sanaa International Airport, and Houthi media said three people were killed.
The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said he was about to board a plane at the airport when it was attacked. He added in a statement that a member of the plane's crew was injured.
The Israeli army said that in addition to striking the airport, it also struck military infrastructure in the ports of Hodeidah, Saleef and Ras Qanatab on the western coast of Yemen. It also attacked the Haziz and Ras Qanatab power stations in the country.
The Houthis' Al Masirah TV said that two people were killed in the raids on the airport, one person was killed in the bombing of the port, while 11 others were injured in the attacks.
There was no comment from the Houthis, who repeatedly launched drones and missiles towards Israel in what they described as acts of solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza.
Following the attacks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with Channel 14 that Israel was only at the beginning of its campaign against the Houthis. “We're just getting started with them,” he added.
The Prime Minister's position at home has been strengthened by the Israeli military campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah forces in southern Lebanon and the destruction of most of the Syrian army's strategic weapons.
Al Masirah TV also talked about the Israeli attacks on Hodeidah Airport and one power station.
Tedros said he was in Yemen to negotiate the release of detained UN staff and assess the humanitarian situation in Yemen.
He said in a statement, “While we were about to board our plane from Sanaa… the airport was subjected to an aerial bombardment. One of our plane's crew members was injured.”
He added, “The air control tower, the departure hall – a few meters away from where we were – and the runway were damaged,” adding that he and his colleagues were fine.
There was no immediate comment from Israel on the incident.
The Houthi attacks, which have been ongoing for more than a year, have disrupted international shipping routes, forcing companies to reroute to longer, more expensive journeys, which in turn has raised concerns about global inflation.
Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, said on Wednesday that the UN Security Council is scheduled to meet on Monday to discuss the Houthi attacks on Israel.
On Saturday, the Israeli army failed to intercept a missile from Yemen that fell in the Tel Aviv-Jaffa area, wounding 14 people.
