In brief
In response to a missile attack by Yemen’s Houthi group, which Israel alleged involved cluster munitions, Israeli air strikes targeted multiple military sites in the capital, Sanaa. Four casualties and 67 injuries were reported by Houthi officials following the strikes that included a military complex near the presidential palace. The Israeli military identified the Houthi strike as the first use of cluster bombs in the ongoing conflict, prompting an investigation into the failure to intercept the missile that carried the munitions, which are prohibited by an international treaty.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who oversaw the retaliatory strikes, emphasized Israel's commitment to respond forcefully to any threats, stating that the entire region should recognize Israel's strength. The Houthis have been active in targeting Israel since the escalation of the conflict in Gaza in October 2023, claiming their attacks as expressions of solidarity with the Palestinians. The conflict has its roots in a broader civil war within Yemen, where the Houthis have held control since 2014, supported by Iranian supplies that have previously included the use of cluster bombs. As tensions rise, both sides continue to escalate their military engagements, contributing to the ongoing instability in the region.
