WHO Director-General Narrowly Escapes Israeli Airstrike on Yemeni Airport
International news section 27-12-2024
A recent series of Israeli airstrikes on Yemen’s primary airport came dangerously close to impacting the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, as he prepared to board a flight. The attacks, which targeted Sanaa International Airport, left one crew member of a United Nations aircraft injured and damaged critical airport infrastructure.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Ghebreyesus shared details of the harrowing experience. “As we were about to board our flight from Sanaa, the airport was bombarded. The air traffic control tower, departure lounge—just meters from where we stood—and the runway sustained damage,” he wrote, confirming that he and his team were unharmed.
The Houthi-controlled Saba news agency reported six fatalities in the strikes—three at the airport and three in subsequent attacks on Hodeidah, a strategic port city. At least 40 others were injured. The Israeli military claimed responsibility for the attacks, stating they targeted facilities allegedly used by the Houthis to smuggle Iranian weapons and facilitate the entry of Iranian officials.
The strikes are part of escalating tensions between Israel and Yemen’s Houthi movement, which has been launching drone and missile attacks on Israel in support of Palestinians in Gaza.
Following the incident, it has been reported from the United Nations headquarters that Ghebreyesus and his team were promptly evacuated, with all personnel accounted for. UN spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay emphasized the importance of safeguarding civilians and humanitarian workers, reiterating that international laws must be upheld in conflict zones.
The UN delegation had been in Yemen discussing the country’s humanitarian crisis and negotiating the release of detained UN staff members. “Relief personnel must not be targeted, and civilian infrastructure must be protected,” Tremblay added.
The Houthi movement vowed swift retaliation, with its media outlet Al Masirah TV declaring readiness to “meet escalation with escalation.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by asserting that the campaign against the Houthis was only beginning.
This marks a significant escalation in the conflict, according to Yemeni researcher Raiman al-Hamdani. He warned that the Houthis’ continued attacks on Israel could provoke a larger confrontation, for which Yemen is ill-prepared.
Over the past week, Israeli airstrikes in Yemen have killed multiple civilians, and Houthi attacks have targeted shipping routes in the Red Sea, further intensifying regional tensions. Meanwhile, the humanitarian toll of Israel’s war in Gaza continues to climb, with over 45,000 Palestinians—mostly women and children—reported dead.
The incident underscores the expanding reach of the Israel-Hamas war, with Yemen’s Houthis becoming increasingly involved. As hostilities intensify, the risk to civilians and humanitarian missions in the region grows, raising urgent calls for de-escalation and adherence to international humanitarian law.
