Israeli strikes kill dozens of civilians in Yemen, sparking outcry

Widespread outrage has erupted in Yemen after Israeli airstrikes killed at least 46 people and wounded more than 165 on Wednesday, according to the Houthi-run Health Ministry.

Residents and officials accused Israel of deliberately targeting civilian neighborhoods and media offices, condemning the strikes as unlawful and indiscriminate.

The strikes targeted 15 locations in Sanaa and al-Jawf, including military sites and the office of the Houthi spokesperson, according to Israeli authorities. However, officials in Sanaa said the attacks hit civilian neighborhoods and media offices, prompting widespread outrage across the capital.

"What has happened in Sanaa and other Yemeni cities are war crimes in every sense of the word. The Israeli enemy does not distinguish between residential areas and military sites. In the end, it mainly targets crowded neighborhoods," said Tawfiq Al-Nasari, a local resident.

Hospitals in Sanaa are under tremendous strain, as the injured arrive in emergency rooms amid a severe shortage of medicine and medical supplies according to officials.

"This horrific crime committed by our enemy Israel against the Yemeni people targeted civilians, media centers, and heritage sites. The crime adds to Israel's record. Many of those taken to hospital are critically injured," said Anis Al-Subhi, spokesman for the Yemeni Ministry of Health.

The Houthi group has vowed to escalate its attacks on Israel, describing the targeting of civilian areas as a "blatant violation of international humanitarian law."

The group's military spokesperson added that the operation was also "within the framework of responding to the Israeli aggression against our country."

The attack followed an 30 August strike on Sanaa that killed the prime minister of the Houthi-run government and several ministers, in the first such assault to target senior officials.

"The strikes were carried out in response to attacks led by the Houthi terror regime against the State of Israel, during which unmanned aerial vehicles and surface-to-surface missiles were launched toward Israeli territory," the Israeli military said.

Earlier on Thursday (11 Sept), the Israeli military said it intercepted two launches from Yemen, a missile and a drone, operations the Houthis claimed responsibility for later.

Houthis, who control the most populous parts of Yemen, have attacked vessels in the Red Sea in what they describe as acts of solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza.

They have also fired missiles towards Israel, most of which have been intercepted.

Israel has responded with strikes on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, including the vital Hodeidah port.

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