Israeli airstrikes struck the Yemeni capital of Sanaa on Thursday, targeting areas controlled by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. The strikes hit densely populated neighborhoods in the southern and western parts of the city. No immediate casualties have been reported.

Hussein Salem, a resident of Sanaa, described the scene, saying, "It’s like an earthquake," as he witnessed plumes of smoke rising from his neighborhood. The Israeli military confirmed that it targeted a Houthi "military target" but did not provide further details.

This attack followed an earlier incident on Thursday when the Israeli military intercepted a drone launched toward Israel by the Houthis. This marked the third drone strike from Yemen in the past week. The recent airstrikes come on the heels of Israeli attacks on Sunday, which resulted in at least 10 fatalities. Those strikes targeted an oil facility, a power plant, and a military site near the presidential palace, according to both the Houthis and the Israeli military.

Tensions in the region escalated as France, Germany, and the United Kingdom initiated a process to reimpose U.N. sanctions on Iran concerning its nuclear program. This mechanism, known as "snapback," could freeze Iranian assets abroad, halt arms deals, and renew sanctions on Iran's ballistic missile program. Iran has condemned this move as "unjustified, illegal, and lacking any legal basis."

The Houthis have been actively launching missiles and drones toward Israel and targeting ships in the Red Sea amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The rebels claim their actions are in solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

In retaliation for Houthi attacks, Israel and a U.S.-led coalition have conducted extensive airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, including Sanaa and the strategic coastal city of Hodeida. Israeli airstrikes previously rendered Sanaa's airport inoperable in May. A deal announced by the Trump administration aimed to end airstrikes in exchange for the Houthis ceasing attacks on shipping. However, the rebels stated that the agreement did not include halting strikes on targets they associate with Israel.