Sanaa (South24) 

Today, the Israeli army launched intensive retaliatory airstrikes on Hodeidah port and Sanaa airport in the governorates controlled by the Iran-backed Yemeni Houthi group.

The Israel army said in a statement: "In continuation of the plans approved by the Chief of Staff, the Minister of Defense and the Prime Minister, Air Force fighter jets attacked targets belonging to the terrorist Houthi regime in the western coastal strip and deep inside Yemen."

The statement indicated that Sanaa International Airport and the Hezyaz power station in Sanaa were targeted. The main port of Hodeidah, the port of Salif and the Ras Katheeb station in Hodeidah Governorate were also targeted.

#BREAKING

Circulating scenes of the Israeli bombing on Sanaa International Airport a short while ago#south24 pic.twitter.com/iguJXURwIF

— South24 | English (@South24E) December 26, 2024

Israeli media reported that the raids targeted the control tower and the main runway at Sanaa airport.

According to Houthi-affiliate Al-Masirah TV, the Israeli airstrikes in Hodeidah and Sanaa killed four people, injured 16 others while three people are missing.

The Israel Broadcasting Authority confirmed that Israel launched the attack on Yemen for the fourth time, and had informed the United States in advance of the details of the operation.

The attack coincided with a speech by Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi, during which he stressed that "Yemen will not stop its military operations to support Gaza, regardless of the pressures."

"We did not pay attention to the Israeli aggression on our country because we were busy following the speech of the leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi," a Houthi official said.

The official spokesman for the Houthis, Mohammed Abdul Salam, said: "Targeting Sanaa International Airport and civilian infrastructure is a ‘Zionist crime’ against all the Yemeni people."

#BREAKING

Circulating footage by Israeli media showing rising smoke in Houthi-controlled #Sanaa with a person talking about Israeli strikes on Sanaa Airport#south24 pic.twitter.com/lp0D8FoGFf

— South24 | English (@South24E) December 26, 2024

Channel 14 quoted senior security officials as saying that these attacks represent "the beginning of a campaign against the Houthis."

Channel 12 said that the goal of the Israeli attacks was to disable Sanaa Airport and the port of Hodeidah.

Maariv newspaper quoted an Israeli military source as saying: "We isolated the Houthis from the world, inflicted severe damage on the international airport, and attacked the port of Hodeidah extensively."

The Israeli strikes come in the wake of an escalation of Houthi attacks on Israel. The militia announced carrying out four attacks on Tuesday and Wednesday on Tel Aviv and Ashkelon using ballistic missiles and drones.