Israeli air strikes hit Yemen’s capital Sanaa, Houthi-run media say

Israeli air strikes on Thursday hit the Yemeni capital Sanaa, the Houthis’ media office has said.

Residents reported loud explosions in the southern and western parts of the city.

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The strikes occurred as the Houthis’ al-Masirah satellite news channel was broadcasting a pre-recorded speech of the rebels’ top leader, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi.

The strikes came hours after the Israeli military intercepted a drone launched toward Israel by the Iranian-backed Houthis, the third strike from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen in the past week.

The Houthis have regularly launched missiles and drones toward Israel and targeted ships in the Red Sea throughout the war in Gaza.

The rebels say their attacks are in solidarity with Palestinians.

In response to the Houthi attacks, Israel and a United States-led coalition pounded rebel-held areas in Yemen, including Sanaa and the strategic coastal city of Hodeida, with heavy strikes for months.

Israeli strikes knocked Sanaa airport out of service in May.

The Trump administration announced a deal with the Houthis to end the strikes in return for an end to attacks on shipping in May.

The rebels, however, said the agreement did not include halting attacks on targets it believed were aligned with Israel.