Israel’s military has confirmed that it struck multiple targets linked to the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen on Thursday, including Sanaa International Airport and three ports along the western coast.

Attacks hit Yemen’s Hezyaz and Ras Kanatib power stations as well as military infrastructure in the ports of Hodeidah, Salif and Ras Kanatib, Israel’s military said.

Yemen’s Houthi-run broadcaster Al Masirah said that two people were killed in Israeli strikes on Sanaa international airport and another person was killed in Ras Issa port.

Eleven others were injured as a result of the Israeli strikes, the broadcaster added.

There was no immediate comment from the Houthis who have repeatedly fired drones and missiles towards Israel in what they describe as acts of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said following the attacks that Israel will continue its mission until it is complete: “We are determined to sever this terror arm of Iran’s axis.”

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organisation (WHO), said he was about to board a flight at Sanaa International Airport when it came “under aerial bombardment”.

On X, formerly Twitter, he said: “One of our plane’s crew members was injured. At least two people were reported killed at the airport. The air traffic control tower, the departure lounge – just a few meters from where we were – and the runway were damaged.”

The WHO chief said he and his colleagues were safe and sent “heartfelt condolences” to people who had died in the barrage.

The Israeli attacks on the airport, Hodeidah and on one power station, were reported by Al Masirah TV, the main television news outlet run by the Houthis.

More than a year of Houthi attacks have disrupted international shipping routes, forcing firms to reroute to longer and more expensive journeys that have in turn stoked fears over global inflation.

Israel has instructed its diplomatic missions in Europe to try to get the Houthis designated a terrorist organisation.

The UN Security Council is due to meet on Monday over Houthi attacks against Israel, Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon said on Wednesday.

On Saturday, Israel’s military failed to intercept a missile from Yemen that fell in the Tel Aviv-Jaffa area, injuring 14 people.

The US military has also targeted the Houthis in Yemen in recent days. The UN has noted that the Yemeni ports are important entry points for humanitarian aid.

Over the weekend, 16 people were wounded when a Houthi missile hit a playground in Tel Aviv.

Last week, Israeli jets struck Sanaa and Hodeida, killing nine people, which was described as a response to previous Houthi attacks.

The Houthis have also been targeting shipping in the Red Sea corridor in what they say is solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

Additional reporting by agencies

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