At least 35 people were killed in Israeli air strikes on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen on Wednesday, according to the Iran-backed group's health ministry.
The Israeli military said it struck military targets in the capital Sanaa and al-Jawf province, including what it deemed 'the Houthis' military public relations headquarters', in response to recent missile and drone attacks on Israel.
However, the Houthis' military spokesman stated that the strikes targeted civilian areas, noting that journalists and bystanders were among the casualties when the offices of two newspapers were hit.
In the early hours of Thursday, the Israeli military reported intercepting a missile launched from Yemen.
The Houthis did not comment on the missile launch but maintained that they would respond to the Israeli strikes "with all our might." Last month, an Israeli attack also claimed the life of the Houthi-run government's prime minister.
Videos shared online showed smoke plumes rising from Sanaa amidst multiple explosions, while first responders scoured through rubble for any remaining survivors.
The IDF has asserted that the air strikes were in retaliation for the Houthis' unchecked drone and missile assaults on Israel, driven by the ongoing conflict that has characterized the region since Houthi forces overthrew the internationally recognized government a decade ago.
The Houthi-led response has included assaults launched in solidarity with Palestinians following the outbreak of conflict in Gaza. The situation is critical, requiring international attention and potential intervention to prevent further escalation of hostilities and humanitarian disasters.
