JERUSALEM — On Thursday, a series of Israeli airstrikes targeted the Houthi-controlled capital in Yemen and several ports. This occurred as the director-general of the World Health Organization was preparing to take off from Sanaa, where a crew member sustained injuries due to the bombardment. The WHO chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, reported damage to critical airport facilities, including the air traffic control tower and the runway, all just meters away from his location. He confirmed via social media that he and his U.N. colleagues were unharmed but noted they would need to wait for airport repairs before departing. The U.N. later indicated that the injured crew member was being treated in a hospital.
Reports emerged indicating that three individuals were killed and dozens wounded in the strikes at the airport. Stephanie Tremblay, a U.N. spokesperson, shared that the U.N. team had evacuated to a secure area in Sanaa, while damage assessments were scheduled for the following morning to determine the feasibility of their departure from Yemen. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced his condemnation of the rising violence between Yemen and Israel, deeming the day’s events “especially alarming.”
The Israeli military claimed it was unaware of the presence of the WHO delegation in Yemen during the airstrikes. These strikes came in response to a series of Houthi missile launches that had triggered warning sirens in Israel. According to the Israeli military, they targeted infrastructure associated with the Iran-aligned Houthis at various strategic locations in Yemen, arguing that these facilities were involved in smuggling Iranian armaments and serving as entry ports for influential Iranian officials.
Israeli military officials stated their capability to conduct precise strikes far outside their borders, asserting the attacks’ strategic nature. These military actions occurred over 1,000 miles from Jerusalem, shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had warned that the Houthis would face similar consequences as other Iranian proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah. Reports from the Houthi-controlled media indicated multiple casualties from the strikes, showing scenes of destruction that included shattered windows and bloodstains.
In Gaza, the fallout from the conflict continued as an Israeli airstrike resulted in the deaths of five Palestinian journalists outside Al-Awda Hospital. The Israeli military characterized them as militants posing as journalists. The victims were associated with Al-Quds Today, a local station linked to the Islamic Jihad group. This group, known for its extremist stance and involvement in recent conflict activities against Israel, was identified by the Israeli military as having direct connections to the killed individuals.
Video footage captured the aftermath of the strike, showcasing a charred vehicle bearing press markings, an image that stirred outrage among supporters and advocates for press freedom. It has been reported by various organizations that over 130 Palestinian journalists have lost their lives since the onset of the current conflict, while Israel has imposed restrictions on foreign journalists seeking access to Gaza.
Additionally, an Israeli reserve soldier lost his life amid ongoing confrontations in central Gaza, bringing the total soldier casualties to 389 since the ground operations began. This conflict erupted following a militant offensive that resulted in approximately 1,200 casualties, largely civilians, and the abduction of around 250 individuals, with an estimated 100 hostages still held in Gaza.
The humanitarian crisis continues to escalate, as Israeli operations have reportedly resulted in over 45,000 Palestinian deaths, with many claimed to be women and children, though the exact number of militants among them remains unverified by Israeli officials. The situation has caused immense destruction and widespread displacement, affecting nearly 90% of the 2.3 million people in Gaza, who are living under dire conditions with scant resources amid the harsh winter.
Moreover, on Thursday, mourners commemorated eight Palestinians killed during Israeli military operations in Tulkarem, where the Israeli military stated they exchanged fire with militants, acknowledging the presence of civilian casualties during the confrontation.
