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The Israeli military carried out airstrikes on Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, on Sunday, killing at least six people and injuring 86 others, according to Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV. The strikes mark a major escalation in regional tensions as Israel continues its war on Gaza.
Al Masirah reported that the attacks targeted an oil facility and a power plant in the city. Israel claimed it also struck a presidential palace, which it described as being part of a “military complex.” Yemeni officials, however, rejected that statement, insisting the palace has long been abandoned and that civilian infrastructure was deliberately hit.
Footage verified by Al Jazeera showed flames and heavy smoke rising from multiple parts of Sanaa after the strikes. The attacks followed two days after the Houthis announced they had launched a missile and drones at Israel. The group said its campaign is intended to pressure Israel to end what it called atrocities and the siege on Gaza.
The Israeli military confirmed the airstrikes, saying they were carried out “in response to repeated attacks by the Houthi terrorist regime against the state of Israel and its citizens.” It accused the Houthis of launching surface-to-surface missiles and unmanned drones toward Israeli territory in recent weeks.
Despite the destruction, Houthi officials vowed to continue their attacks on Israel. Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a senior figure in the group, said the strikes would not deter them from supporting Palestinians. “The Israeli aggression against Yemen will not discourage us, no matter the sacrifices,” he said.
A military spokesperson claimed Houthi air defenses intercepted and “neutralised” most of the Israeli aircraft involved. The Houthi-run Ministry of Defence also accused Israel of targeting civilian sites to “make Yemenis suffer” rather than attacking genuine military positions.
Abed al-Thawr, a ministry official, described Israel’s explanation as false and called the assault “barbarism.” He stressed that the attacks had no military value but were instead meant to inflict pain on ordinary Yemenis.
The Houthi-led Government of Change and Reconstruction in Sanaa condemned the strikes as a “war crime.” It said Israel, with American support, was waging “an open war against the Arab and Muslim nation” and attempting to claim false victories by showing images of destruction.
Hamas also released a statement denouncing the Israeli attack, calling it “a blatant violation of Arab sovereignty and international law.” The Palestinian group described Israel’s actions as “fascist aggression” and praised the Houthis for their “courageous” stance. Hamas further urged other Arab and Muslim countries to join forces in ending Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land.
Israel has been targeting Yemeni infrastructure, including ports and power plants, for more than a month. Just last week, its navy struck a power station in Sanaa. On Friday, the Houthis said they launched a hypersonic missile and two drones at Israel, reaffirming their commitment to stand with Palestinians until the war in Gaza ends and the blockade is lifted.
The continuing cycle of attacks highlights how the war in Gaza is spilling into other parts of the region, with Yemen becoming a new flashpoint. For many in Sanaa, Sunday’s strikes added to years of war, poverty, and suffering, leaving civilians once again caught in the middle of a wider regional conflict.