Houthis reveal losses from “Israeli” strike on Sanaa Airport

“Israel's” attack on the airport in Yemen's Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa destroyed terminal buildings and caused USD 500 million in damage, its director told Houthi media on Wednesday.

He said earlier in a statement on X that the airport was suspending all flights until further notice after sustaining "severe damage" in the “Israeli” strikes.

The strikes came after a Houthi missile gouged a crater near Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport on Sunday.

"Around USD 500 million in losses were caused by the Israeli aggression on Sanaa airport," its general director Khaled al-Shaief told Al-Masirah television.

"The enemy destroyed the terminals at Sanaa airport, including all equipment and devices," he said, adding that a warehouse was also "completely levelled".

Yemenia Airways lost three planes, he said, adding that six planes in total had been destroyed.

"There are alternatives to temporarily reopen the airport, and we need a long time to rehabilitate it and restore operations," he said.

Houthi health ministry spokesperson Anees Alasbahi told AFP the attack would "increase human suffering for sick people who need to travel abroad for treatment" and could make it harder to bring medical supplies in.

On Tuesday, the Houthi and the United States agreed a ceasefire that would ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, mediator Oman said.

But the deal that was announced does not mention “Israel”, with the group vowing to respond to Tuesday's strikes.