A wave of Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen’s main airport Thursday just as the World Health Organization’s director-general said he was about to board a flight there. One of the U.N. plane’s crew was wounded, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on X. The Israeli military said it attacked infrastructure used by Yemen’s Houthi rebels at the international airport in the capital Sanaa, as well as power stations and ports, alleging they were used to smuggle in Iranian weapons and for the entry of senior Iranian officials.
Last week, Israeli jets bombed Sanaa and Hodeida, killing nine people. The U.S. military also has targeted the Houthis in Yemen in recent days. Israel’s latest wave of strikes follows several days of Houthi launches setting off air-raid sirens in Israel. The Houthis have also been targeting shipping in the Red Sea, calling it solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Israel’s war has killed over 45,000 Palestinians, with more than half being women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians.
According to the United Nations, at least three people were reportedly killed and dozens injured during the Israeli airstrikes on the airport. A high-level U.N. delegation, led by WHO’s Tedros, was present at the airport when the strikes occurred, leading to injuries among U.N. personnel. U.N. associate spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay confirmed the situation, stating the injured crew member was being treated. Tedros remarked, "The air traffic control tower, the departure lounge — just a few meters from where we were — and the runway were damaged," indicating the precarious nature of the environment.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the escalation, referring to the attacks on the airport and other locations as "especially alarming." He called for all parties to respect and protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, urging for restraint. This statement reflects the growing concern for humanitarian issues as tensions continue to escalate.
This series of events stems from the Houthis launching missiles at Israel and setting off alarm systems, which prompted the Israeli retaliation. Israel maintains its strikes are necessary to disrupt Houthi operations involving Iranian weapons, claiming, "We will continue until the job is done." Houthi-controlled media reported multiple casualties from the airstrikes with accusations aimed back at Israel for its aggression. Iranian officials condemned the Israeli strikes, labeling them as part of a campaign against Islamic nations.
Continuing the exchange, the Houthis have demonstrated their capabilities by launching missiles and drones at the Israeli infrastructure, including recent attempts targeting Ben Gurion Airport. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, "The Houthis, too, will learn what Hamas and Hezbollah... learned," reaffirming Israel’s commitment to combating what it characterizes as Iranian-backed terrorism.
The humanitarian situation for Yemen continues to be dire. The U.N. reports Yemen as one of the countries facing the largest humanitarian crises, with significant portions of the population relying on aid. The strikes on key infrastructure have raised alarms about the potential disruption of humanitarian efforts and the worsening conditions for ordinary Yemenis.
Earlier this week, the U.N. Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting to address the Houthi attacks and Israel's response. The Israeli U.N. Mission described the meeting as necessary to enforce international law and hold Iran accountable for its support of the Houthis. This reflects international concern surrounding both the uptick in conflict and the resulting humanitarian toll.
Overall, this situation culminates from both sides' military engagements, leading to significant infrastructure damage and human casualties. It remains to be seen how international powers will respond to the increasing hostilities and the humanitarian crisis developing as part of the conflict.
