Israel strikes military targets amid escalating conflict in Yemen

On Sunday, August 24, 2025, Israel conducted airstrikes on several military targets in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, in response to ongoing threats from Houthi militants. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least two individuals and injured 35 others, according to early reports by Houthi media. These strikes were reportedly in retaliation for a ballistic missile fired by the Houthis towards Israel a couple of days prior, which was intercepted. Israel confirmed that various military sites were hit, including the presidential palace, power plants, and a fuel storage facility, although the Houthis have denied these claims and asserted that the strikes targeted civilian infrastructure instead. They refuted Israel's assertion that the presidential palace was a military target, claiming it had been abandoned for years. Residents of Sanaa described the intense explosions and subsequent chaos, noting significant damage to buildings in the vicinity. These military actions come amidst a broader context of the ongoing conflict involving the Houthis, who have been engaged in missile operations against Israel as part of their stated support for Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas War. The Houthi leadership claimed that their operations are meant to maintain solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and that they will persist with military actions regardless of the sacrifices involved. This escalation of hostilities highlights a significant and growing pattern of violence as this regional conflict continues to unfold, raising concerns about the implications for civilian safety and stability in Yemen and the surrounding areas.