Israel 'fully disables' Yemen's main airport in second day of Houthi revenge strikes

Israel has pulverised Yemen’s main airport with airstrikes as well as attacking targets across Lebanon, and Gaza in the last 48 hours. Intensifying its second day of Yemen attacks today, hit the main airport “fully disabling it” and sending plumes of black smoke over the capital. Power plans and factories were also smashed by air-strikes as Israel picked off Houthi rebel positions, following their attack on Tel Aviv airport.

Huge billows of smoke and flames marked explosion sites as power plants were bombed, engulfing the air hundreds of feet into the sky with blazing fuel. Today's Yemen attacks followed a major blitz on Monday on and industrial base - which were said to be weapons transfer hubs for the Houthis. One report suggested waves of up to four fighter bomber squadrons took part in the attack - meaning more than 30 warplanes were deployed.

On Sunday a Houthi missile avoided Israeli air defences and hit close to Ben Gurioon airport, injuring four and prompting a swift response. Prime Minister vowed: "We attacked in the past, we will attack in the future,” and issued a follow-up warning to the Houthis backers Iran.

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He declared "attacks by the Houthis emanate from Iran", adding Israel would respond to Iran "at a time and place of our choosing". It came as blockaded Gaza’s relentless death toll rose by another 54 since dawn from Israeli airstrikes and medics warned are 48 hours from collapse.

And vowed: "Anyone who hits us, we will hit them seven times stronger.” Tuesday’s Yemen strikes happened shortly after Israeli spokesman Avichay Adraee announced a warning to Yemeni residents on social media, saying: "We urge you to immediately evacuate the area of the airport and to warn anyone nearby to distance themselves immediately. Failure to evacuate the area endangers your lives."

He attached an aerial map of Saana airport. Several Hezbollah terror sites, weapons and bomb-making factories were blitzed by Israeli warplanes in the area. A drone carried out three strikes on a terror target in the village of Aitaroun, in southern and Israel also reportedly struck the outskirts of the village of Janta, in eastern Lebanon, near Syria.

Late Monday evening the confirmed: "A short while ago, the IDF struck terror infrastructure sites within a Hezbollah strategic weapons production and storage facility in the Beqaa area in Lebanon. The IDF identified Hezbollah's attempts to reestablish presence and operations within the facility.”

Other attacks took place in Syria, according to reports, although there were no available details. Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 52,567 Palestinians and wounded 118,610, according to . The Government Media Office updated the death toll to more than 61,700, saying thousands of people missing under the rubble are presumed dead.

An estimated 1,195 people were killed in Israel during the on October 7, 2023, and more than 200 were taken captive. There are 59 remaining hostages - although fewer than 24 of them are thought still to be alive.

Netanyahu's government have struggled to settle on a peace or ceasefire deal with Hamas since the latest one came to an abrubt end in mid March. It is believed the negotiations via have almost broken down completely.

But Netanyahu is facing immense pressure from a growing number of ex-Israeli military, spies, officials, mourning hostage families and worried loved ones of those still alive to bring an end to the war and save the remaining hostages.

Many have stated he is keeping the war going to save his political career as he faces a corruption trial and war crimes accusations. Both he and ex-Defence Minister Yoav Gallant face arrest abroad as ruled by the International Criminal Court.