Israel conducted long-range strikes on Yemen’s Houthi-held capital Sanaa and the northern Al Jawf province, leaving at least 35 people dead and 131 wounded, according to Houthi officials. Israel said the operation targeted military infrastructure and information offices; Houthi spokesmen accused Israel of hitting civilian sites. The escalation followed a rare Houthi drone impact at Israel’s Ramon Airport and came amid broader regional tensions after a reported Israeli strike in Doha.

Strikes Across Sanaa and Al Jawf

Local authorities in areas controlled by the Houthis reported 28 fatalities in Sanaa and seven in Al Jawf, with more than 100 people injured. Footage from the capital showed flames and smoke rising over residential districts as emergency teams searched damaged buildings. The Israeli military said its targets included Houthi military camps, a fuel storage site and the group’s military information office. “The attacks hit civilian targets, including the offices of local newspapers,” Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said.

Netanyahu’s Message and Regional Spillover

“We will continue to strike. Whoever strikes us, whoever attacks us – we will reach them,” Netanyahu said after announcing the Yemen operation. He linked the action to recent Houthi attacks, including a drone that struck the arrivals hall at Ramon Airport, briefly disrupting flights in Israel’s south. The latest Yemen strikes also followed an unprecedented Israeli operation targeting senior Hamas fighters in Doha, an episode that drew sharp condemnation from Qatar and further complicated mediation efforts.

Houthis’ Response and Civilian Risk

The Houthis said their air defenses engaged Israeli aircraft and vowed to escalate their campaign against Israel-linked shipping to pressure for relief to Gaza. Houthi officials reiterated that civilian infrastructure, including a medical point and media offices, had been hit, allegations that could trigger fresh scrutiny over the conduct of hostilities. Rights advocates warned that repeated strikes in dense urban areas raise the risk of additional civilian casualties and displacement as rescue teams continue operations.