A wave of Israeli air attacks struck Yemen’s main airport just as the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, prepared to board his flight from Sanaa. The incident occurred on Thursday, wounding one member of the plane’s crew. Ghebreyesus noted on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, how he was merely meters away from the bombings.
“The airport came under aerial bombardment. One of our plane’s crew members was injured,” he stated, detailing the extensive damage, including to the air traffic control tower and the departure lounge. Fortunately, he and his colleagues managed to stay safe during this frightening episode.
The airstrikes were part of Israel’s broader military actions aimed at dismantling infrastructure allegedly utilized by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. Though no immediate comment was issued from Israeli officials, the military later confirmed they targeted areas used for weapon smuggling and Iranian influence operations.
According to the Houthi-controlled Saba news agency, at least three people were reportedly killed during the strikes at Sanaa Airport, with another three deaths occurring due to attacks on Hodeidah, accompanied by injuries to 40 others. These violent events coincided with heightened tensions as the Houthis had previously launched missiles and drones toward Israel, framing their actions as solidarity with Palestinians amid the Gaza situation.
Ghebreyesus, who had just concluded talks on Yemen's humanitarian crisis and the release of detained UN staff, expressed deep concern over the escalation of violence. Al Jazeera’s Gabriel Elizondo noted the precariousness of the situation, stating, “This was a very close call.”
The UN's response came swiftly, with spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay emphasizing the importance of protecting civilians and humanitarian aid workers. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres echoed this sentiment, condemning the escalation and highlighting the need for all parties to respect international humanitarian law.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised continued military campaigns against the Houthis. “We are just getting started with them,” he stated during a broadcast interview. This marked Israel’s readiness to increase military operations against what they termed the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist regime.
Raiman al-Hamdani, a researcher focused on Yemen, remarked how the airstrikes signal significant worsening tensions likely to draw both Yemen and Israel closer to direct conflict. He expressed concerns about the Houthis’ risks as the conflict escalates, indicating their attack strategy is far from backing down.
Ghebreyesus’s presence at Sanaa was not coincidental. His mission included negotiating the release of detained UN staff and assessing the dire humanitarian conditions as Yemen remains embroiled in civil conflict. The WHO chief lamented, “We will need to wait for the damage to the airport to be repaired before we can leave,” illustrating not just the immediate dangers but the broader challenges of conducting humanitarian efforts in Yemen.
This recent military escalation has raised alarms internationally. Guterres described the attack as “alarming,” emphasizing the repercussions for civilians and the urgent need for peace negotiations. He reiterated calls for all parties involved to cease military actions and pursue diplomatic solutions to restore stability to the region.
The onus now rests on both Israeli leadership and the Houthis to reconsider their strategies. With both sides entrenching their positions, the stakes are higher than ever. Guterres’s regrets about the escalation encapsulate the bitter reality faced by those caught amid conflict—civilians who bear the brunt of such tensions.
While the airstrikes demonstrate Israel’s resolve to thwart perceived terrorist threats, such actions risk spiraling the situation beyond their control. The Houthis’ retaliation pledge promises to escalate tensions even more, signifying possible reciprocal assaults on Israeli targets.
Analysts are urging all involved to abide by international norms relating to armed conflict and prioritize protection for civilian lives. Only time will reveal whether this troubling incident at Sanaa airport will pave the way for a more significant regional conflict or prompt necessary peacemaking efforts.
For now, as the international community watches with bated breath, both humanitarian workers and civilians remain at the mercy of these decisions, confused by the intricacies of allegiances and enmities at play.
