Israel conducted air strikes in Sanaa, Yemen, targeting Houthi military installations following a missile attack by the group. The Israeli military reported that the missile strike, which utilized cluster munitions, marked the first time such weapons were employed by the Houthis in the ongoing conflict with Israel. Israeli officials noted that the air strikes targeted a military complex that included the presidential palace, a fuel depot, and power stations.
According to Houthi officials, the air strikes resulted in four fatalities and 67 injuries. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have announced an investigation into the inability to intercept the missile carrying the cluster munitions, which are banned by over 100 countries due to their potential for civilian harm. After striking Sanaa, the Houthis released video footage showing the dispersal of bombs from the missile.
In a related incident, a bomblet from the Houthi missile landed in the yard of a home in central Israel, causing minor damage. This has raised concerns regarding the effectiveness of Israel’s missile defense systems. The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz, oversaw the retaliatory operation. Netanyahu emphasized a stance of retaliation against any attacks on Israel, indicating that this approach may reinforce regional perceptions of the country’s military capability.
The Houthis have maintained control over much of northwestern Yemen since 2014, following the ousting of the government in Sanaa, which has contributed to the ongoing civil conflict. Following the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in Gaza in October 2023, the Houthis have increased their missile strikes on Israel, claiming these actions are in solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Iran has been noted as a key supplier of military resources to the Houthi group, which also utilized cluster munitions in a brief conflict with Israel earlier in June.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0kzy7r8pl1o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss