Thousands of Yemenis crowded the capital Sanaa Friday to express their support for the Iran-backed Huthi rebels, who say they will maintain pressure on Israel despite the imminent Gaza ceasefire.

The Iran-backed Houthis have stepped up their missile attacks, in recent weeks. The group says the attacks are part of their campaign aimed at pressuring Israel and the West over the war in Gaza.

"We announce that we will suspend our military operations against [Israel]," the Nujaba Movement's leader said.

A missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeted central Israel early Tuesday, causing sirens to blare and people to flee into bomb shelters.

Israel and its allies have escalated strikes against the Houthis, trying to force the Iran-backed group to stop firing on Israel and Red Sea shipping.

Israel has "failed miserably" in Gaza, the leader of Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels said on Thursday, a day after a ceasefire deal was announced in the Palestinian territory.

Israel struck Huthi targets in Yemen on Friday, including a power station and coastal ports, in response to missile and drone launches, as it warned it would hunt down the group's leaders.Before Friday's raids,

Storyline: Thousands of Yemenis gathered at Al-Sabeen Square in the heart of the capital Sanaa Friday to show solidarity with the Palestinian people and to protest against Israel's bombardment of Gaza after Israel and Hamas finally reached a ceasefire agreement set to take effect on Sunday after nearly 15 months of war.

Thousands of Houthi supporters protested again Friday against Israeli attacks in Yemen and the US-led coalition, while showing their support for the Palestinian people. Camera: YAHYA ARHAB. [Restrictions: Spain,

A missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeted central Israel early Tuesday, sounding sirens and causing people to flee into bomb shelters

The targets struck are examples of the Houthis’ exploitation of civilian infrastructure for its terrorist activities."