SANAA/JERUSALEM, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed and 48 others wounded on Thursday when Israel conducted multiple airstrikes on Yemen's Houthi-held capital Sanaa, Houthi-run health authorities said, calling the figures an "initial toll."
Eyewitnesses described thick black smoke rising across the city as fighter jets roared overhead. Many residents rushed to open their windows out of fear that pressure waves from the explosions could shatter the glass.
According to local sources, Sanaa lacks anti-aircraft defenses to intercept Israeli warplanes or underground shelters for residents seeking safety.
In a statement, Katz said the Air Force hit several military camps, including a Houthi General Staff's camp, and destroyed stockpiles of drones and weapons.
He added that the strike killed "dozens" of Houthi militants. "As I promised yesterday, whoever harms us will be harmed sevenfold," Katz said.
Katz said that the strikes were launched in retaliation for a drone attack on Wednesday in Eilat, Israel's southern Red Sea resort city, which reportedly wounded at least 20 people, including two seriously.
Israel's state-owned Kan TV reported that about 15 fighter jets took part in the attack, dropping around 65 bombs.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement, the Israeli military said an initial investigation by the Air Force into Wednesday's drone attack indicated that the Houthi drone was detected relatively late and interception attempts by the Iron Dome aerial defense system failed.
"Corrective measures were implemented," the military said.
Israel has been conducting airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen since 2024, in retaliation for Houthi missile and drone attacks on Israeli territory. The Houthis say their assaults are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Their attacks intensified after Israel killed senior Houthi government officials in Sanaa in August. ■
