After escaping death, WHO chief describes chaos after Israeli air strikes in Yemen

CAIRO – 28 December 2024: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), recounted a terrifying experience following Israeli air strikes in Sanaa on Thursday.

Speaking to BBC Radio, Tedros said his ears are still ringing from the blasts as he prepared to board a flight at the airport, emphasizing the necessity of protecting civilian installations under international law, the AFP reported.

The strikes targeted Sanaa’s international airport and other locations, marking the second instance of Israeli attacks in Yemen since December 19, following missile fire directed towards Israel.

Describing the scene, Tedros said, "We heard a heavy explosion nearby, and then I think repeated." He recalled the overwhelming sound of the explosions, stating, "The sound was so, so loud... So deafening, actually. Still my ear rings. It's already more than 24 hours now."

The WHO chief detailed the chaos that ensued, with people running in all directions and no shelter available.

"It's a matter of luck," he said. "If the missile deviated just slightly, it could have been on our heads... my colleague actually said after all that, we escaped death narrowly."

Yahya al-Sayani, the Houthi Deputy Transport Minister, reported that four people were killed and 20 wounded in the air strikes.

Tedros was in Yemen on a mission for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, aiming to secure the release of detained UN staff and assess the humanitarian and health circumstances in the country.

When asked if Israel was aware of his presence at the airport, he noted that flight information is internationally available, stating, "I would assume that the people who like to know, know."

He reiterated the importance of adhering to international law, saying, "It doesn't matter whether I am there or not... if it's a civilian installation, it has to be protected, based on international law. Whether they knew or not, it doesn't matter... international law should be respected."