Air strikes are reported to have hit the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, and the port city of Hudaydah on the Red Sea. The scale of the strikes or any casualties are not clear from initial reports. In recent days Israel has warned it was preparing a significant attack on Houthi rebel targets in Yemen after the group fired missiles at it.

Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, says he was close to the departure lounge when it was hit.

Israeli air strikes hit rebel-held Sanaa's international airport and other targets in Yemen on Thursday as the head of the UN's World Health Organization said he and his team prepared to fly out.