In a rapidly intensifying conflict, Israeli airstrikes pounded Yemen’s capital Sanaa and other Huthi-controlled areas on Thursday. The strikes, which targeted military facilities, power stations, and the international airport, left at least six people dead, according to Huthi rebel media.

A World Health Organization delegation led by Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was present at Sanaa’s airport during the attack. One crew member of their flight was reportedly injured, and the delegation’s departure has been delayed due to significant damage to airport infrastructure, including the runway and control tower.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doubled down on the operation, describing it as a decisive move against what he called a "branch of terrorism" within Iran’s regional alliance. The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed targeting what they labeled "military infrastructure used by the Huthi terrorist regime to smuggle Iranian weapons and officials."

UN Reaction:
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the escalation, expressing grave concern over the strikes on civilian areas, particularly the airport attack. Humanitarian operations in Yemen are expected to face further disruptions as a result of the destruction.

Iranian Condemnation:
Iran's foreign ministry called the attacks a "blatant violation of international law" and accused Israel of committing crimes against Yemen's "resilient and heroic people."

Huthi Response:
Huthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam decried the strikes as a "Zionist crime against Yemen." The group had claimed responsibility for a missile and drone attack on Israel earlier in the week, signaling solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

Background:
The Huthi movement, part of Iran's so-called "axis of resistance," has increasingly targeted Israeli interests since the outbreak of war in Gaza last year. Yemen’s civil war, ongoing since 2014, has already created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with millions in need of aid.

Global Implications:
This latest episode underscores the growing regional dimension of the Israel-Hamas war, with Yemen’s Huthi rebels joining the fray. The international community watches anxiously as the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden face renewed threats to shipping and security.