Official WHO press releases or statements

Israel Strikes Yemeni Airport During Houthi Leader's Speech; WHO Chief Unharmed

Dec 26, 2024, 05:55 PM

Israel launched airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, striking Sana'a International Airport during a speech by Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, as well as power stations and key ports including Hodeidah, Al-Salif, and Ras Kanatib. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the strikes, stating they were in response to the Iran-backed Houthi group's repeated ballistic missile and drone attacks on Israel in recent weeks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue striking the Houthis until "we complete the job." The IDF reported targeting military infrastructure used by the Houthis along Yemen's western coast and inland. The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was at Sana'a airport during the airstrike but was unharmed. However, at least two people were reported killed at the airport, and one of the WHO plane's crew members was injured.