### Israel Strikes Sanaa Airport Following Houthi Missile Launch

In a significant escalation of regional tensions, Israel has launched air strikes on Yemen's main airport in Sanaa, just one day after Houthi rebels fired projectiles towards Israel. Houthi-affiliated media outlet Al Masirah TV reported that four strikes targeted the runway.

Khaled al-Shaief, General Director of Sanaa International Airport, confirmed on social media platform X that the strike had completely destroyed the last remaining plane of Yemenia Airways. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that the air force targeted Houthi "terror targets" at the airport, emphasizing that the strike was a clear response to any attacks on Israel. "This is a clear message and a continuation of our policy: whoever fires at the State of Israel will pay a heavy price," Katz asserted.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reinforced this sentiment in a separate statement. "Any harm directed at Israel will be met with greater force," Netanyahu said. He also pointed to Iran as the primary instigator behind the Houthi actions, labeling the Houthis as merely a symptom of a larger aggression led by Iran.

The recent Israeli retaliation follows the Houthi group's own admission of launching two ballistic missiles toward Israel, which were intercepted by Tel Aviv's air defenses. Sanaa International Airport, the largest in Yemen, had only recently resumed operations after undergoing temporary repairs following previous strikes by Israel.

Since Israel's escalation of conflict in Gaza in October 2023, the Houthis have repeatedly targeted Israel, citing solidarity with the Palestinians. Last week, the group also threatened to impose a naval blockade on Israel's port of Haifa amidst the ongoing military tensions in Gaza.

In addition to attacks on Israeli soil, Houthi forces have targeted shipping vessels in the Red Sea. These actions led to retaliatory strikes from the United States and Britain starting in January 2024. However, earlier this month, the US agreed to a ceasefire with the Houthis, pausing weeks of intense strikes on Yemen.