Israeli airstrikes struck Yemen's capital, Sanaa, on Sunday, following a missile launch by Houthi rebels aimed at Israel. This missile was described by the Israeli military as the first cluster bomb fired by the Houthis since 2023. The Iranian-backed Houthis reported that multiple locations in Sanaa were hit, with their health ministry confirming at least four fatalities and 67 injuries.

The strikes targeted the Asar and Hizaz power plants, which Israel labeled as significant for military operations. Additionally, a military site near the presidential palace was also hit. Residents in Sanaa reported hearing loud explosions near a closed military academy and the presidential palace, with smoke visible near Sabeen Square, a central area in the city. "The sounds of explosions were very strong," said Hussein Mohamed, a local resident. Another resident, Ahmed al-Mekhlafy, described the impact: "The house was rocked, and the windows were shattered."

The Houthis have been launching missiles and drones toward Israel for over 22 months, claiming these actions are in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Nasruddin Amer, deputy head of the Houthi media office, stated on social media that their military operations would continue. "Our military operations supporting Gaza won’t stop, God willing, unless the aggression is stopped, and the siege is lifted," he wrote.

These airstrikes were the first since Israel targeted energy infrastructure used by the Houthis a week prior. The recent attacks followed the Houthis' announcement of a missile launch toward Israel on Friday, which aimed at Ben Gurion Airport but reportedly caused no damage or injuries. An Israeli Air Force official noted that the missile fragmented mid-air after several interception attempts. This projectile was identified as a cluster munition, which complicates interception efforts and indicates advanced technology supplied to the Houthis by Iran.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the country continues to enforce an air and naval blockade. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remarked that the Houthis are "paying a heavy price for its aggression against the State of Israel."

Houthi attacks have disrupted shipping in the Red Sea, a vital route for global trade, with over $1 trillion in goods passing through annually. From November 2023 to December 2024, the Houthis targeted more than 100 commercial and naval vessels. Although the rebels paused their attacks during a brief ceasefire in Gaza, they resumed hostilities afterward, becoming targets of a U.S.-ordered airstrike campaign.

In May, the U.S. announced a deal with the Houthis to cease airstrikes in exchange for halting attacks on shipping. However, the Houthis claimed this agreement did not include stopping attacks on targets they associate with Israel. In a notable incident in May, Israeli airstrikes hit Sanaa airport, damaging the terminal and affecting several passenger planes.