SANAA/JERUSALEM - Israel launched airstrikes on Yemen's capital Sanaa on Thursday afternoon, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported, as local residents heard a series of explosions.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the airstrikes in a statement, while Israel's state-owned Kan TV news reported that the airstrikes were aimed at Houthi leaders, without disclosing their identity.

The strikes came a few hours after the Israeli military said it intercepted two drones fired from Yemen.

The first drone entered Israeli airspace at noon, triggered air raid sirens, and was then intercepted by Israeli air force over communities near Gaza, while the second, fired less than two hours later, was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory, the military said in a statement.

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No human casualties or material damage have been reported from the two drone launches. There was no immediate comment from Yemen's Houthi group regarding the incidents.

The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, have carried out drone and missile attacks on Israel since November 2023 in what they describe as solidarity with Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Most of the projectiles have been intercepted by Israeli defenses.

Israel has responded with strikes on Houthi-held areas, targeting airports, power stations, and ports in Yemen's capital Sanaa and the city of Hodeidah.