A massive fireball illuminated the night sky over Sanaa as Israeli airstrikes pounded the Yemeni capital, killing at least six people and wounding 86 others, according to the Houthi-run health ministry. The bombardment left a trail of destruction, hitting key infrastructure and leaving over 20 people in critical condition.
The intense raid targeted several strategic locations, including a building in central Sanaa, an oil company facility, and a power station. This attack represents a forceful Israeli response to aggression from the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who had recently launched a ballistic missile towards Israel. The missile was reportedly equipped with a cluster bomb warhead, a significant escalation that prompted the severe Israeli reaction.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the strikes, stating that the “Houthi terrorist regime is learning the hard way” about the consequences of its actions. He promised that Israel would continue to strike any entity planning to harm the nation, reinforcing a policy of pre-emptive and retaliatory force.
Defence Minister Israel Katz added that for every missile fired by the Houthis, they will “pay many times over.” He claimed the strikes destroyed the Houthi presidential palace and hit fuel depots, part of a broader strategy to cripple the infrastructure used to support Houthi operations.