An AFP correspondent in Sanaa reported the sound of explosions.

The Huthis' Al-Masirah television channel reported "Israeli aggression" on Sanaa, which came moments before the network began broadcasting rebel leader Abdul Malik al-Huthi's weekly pre-recorded speech.

On Wednesday, Israel's military said a drone launched from Yemen struck the southern tourist resort of Eilat, with rescuers reporting 22 wounded.

The Huthis later claimed responsibility for the attack, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defence minister, Israel Katz, have warned of a severe response.

On Thursday Katz said in a post on X that Israel had "just dealt a powerful blow to numerous terror targets of the Huthi terror organisation in Sanaa", claiming dozens were killed.

Israeli forces "struck several military camps... eliminated dozens of Huthi terror operatives, and destroyed stockpiles of UAVs (drones) and weaponry," Katz said.

The Iran-backed Huthi rebels began targeting Israel with missiles and drones, as well as attacking vessels they deem linked to the country, after the 2023 start of the Gaza war.

The Huthis say they act in solidarity with Palestinians.

Israel in response has carried out strikes in Yemen, mainly targeting infrastructure such as ports, power stations and Sanaa's international airport.

In August, Israel assassinated the head of the Huthi government Ahmed Ghaleb Nasser al-Rahawi together with other senior officials.

Earlier this month, Israeli strikes killed 46 people according to the Huthis, including journalists working for the September 26 and al-Yaman newspapers.

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