In a heart-stopping moment captured on CCTV, the chief of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, narrowly escaped with his life as an Israeli airstrike rocked Sana’a International Airport in Yemen. The footage, released by Yemen’s Houthi-run Almasirah TV, shows Dr. Tedros and his staff fleeing a room mere seconds before a massive explosion blasts through the building, sending debris and smoke billowing.
The harrowing incident unfolded amidst a dangerous escalation in tensions between Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels and the Israeli government. In recent weeks, the Houthis have stepped up attacks against Israel, hoping to pressure the Jewish state to end its ongoing war in Gaza. The conflict, now in its second month, has left hundreds dead and pushed the embattled Palestinian enclave to the brink of humanitarian catastrophe.
U.N. Condemns Attack, Warns of Regional Fallout
The United Nations quickly denounced the airstrike, with Secretary-General António Guterres expressing outrage that the WHO chief was caught in the crossfire of a geopolitical conflict. In a stern rebuke, Guterres called on all parties to respect international law and refrain from targeting civilians and humanitarian workers.
“The director general and WHO staff should never be a target or threatened. They must be respected and protected,” the Secretary-General said in a statement. He warned the incident could further inflame regional tensions and hamper critical relief efforts.
– U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres
The attack on Sana’a airport comes just days after a Houthi drone strike on Israel’s Haifa port, which caused major damage and disrupted operations at the strategic facility. Israel has vowed a fierce response, raising fears of a widening conflict that could draw in regional powers like Iran and Saudi Arabia.
WHO Chief Shaken But Undeterred
For Dr. Tedros, the brush with death was a stark reminder of the risks faced by humanitarian workers in conflict zones. “I am deeply shocked by what happened,” he told reporters, visibly shaken but unharmed. “But this will not deter us from our mission to help the people of Yemen.”
Yemen, already one of the poorest countries in the Arab world, has been ravaged by years of war, disease, and famine. The WHO has been a lifeline for millions, providing essential health services and coordinating the response to deadly outbreaks of cholera and COVID-19.
- 80% of Yemen’s population is dependent on aid
- More than 100,000 have died in the conflict since 2015
- Millions are on the brink of starvation
The attack on Sana’a airport is likely to compound Yemen’s suffering, damaging vital infrastructure and impeding the flow of much-needed supplies. It also marks a dangerous new phase in the Houthi-Israel conflict, which has largely been fought via proxies and limited cross-border strikes.
Israel Vows to Strike at “The Head of the Iranian Snake”
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was quick to lay blame for the attack squarely on Iran, which has long backed the Houthis as part of a regional proxy war against Saudi Arabia and its allies. In a fiery address, Bennett vowed to strike at “the head of the Iranian snake,” warning Tehran that it would pay a heavy price for threatening Israel’s security.
“The Houthis are just the tip of the spear. They hide behind women and children as they attack our people. But we are not deceived. Iran is behind this – they are the puppet master pulling the strings. And we will cut those strings.”
– Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett
The prime minister’s harsh words underscore the high stakes at play, as the conflict in Gaza threatens to metastasize into a wider regional conflagration. With tensions at a boiling point, many fear a miscalculation could light the fuse on a powder keg that consumes the Middle East.
World Leaders Urge De-Escalation
As the situation teeters on the brink, world leaders are racing to pull it back from the precipice. In Washington, U.S. President Joe Biden dispatched his top envoy to the region in a bid to broker a ceasefire and prevent further bloodshed.
“The President is deeply concerned by the escalating violence. He has made it clear that the United States stands ready to work with all parties to end the hostilities,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters. “But the onus is on the regional players to seize this moment and choose the path of diplomacy.”
– White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre
The UN Security Council, meanwhile, convened an emergency session to chart a path forward. After hours of tense negotiations, the Council issued a unanimous call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to the negotiating table.
But with trust at rock bottom and animosities running high, it remains to be seen whether the parties will heed the call. For the people of Yemen and Gaza, caught in the crosshairs of a geopolitical conflict they did not start, the stakes could not be higher. As the world holds its breath, their fate hangs in the balance.
