Tens of thousands have protested in the rebel-held Yemeni capital of Sanaa to condemn Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Gaza, AFP journalists and state media report.

Tens of thousands of chanting protesters gathered, many waving rifles and placards. “We say to our brothers in Lebanon that you will be victorious, God willing,” said Houthi supporter Mortada al-Mutawkil.

“This war is not the first nor the last with the Israeli enemy, but God willing it will be more painful for Israel than the 2006 war.”

Another protester, Mohammed Mushki, said: “No matter how long the war lasts and no matter how big it is, we are on their side, all the Yemeni people, on the side of the Lebanese and Palestinian people until victory, God willing.”

In Bahrain, which is an Israeli ally and keeps a tight rein on demonstrations, two protests denounced the conflict in Gaza and bombing campaign on Lebanon.Several hundred people marched in a village north of Manama, and in the capital, scores of people raised Palestinian and Lebanese flags and called for an end to ties with Israel.