Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly celebrated a successful airstrike in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, which resulted in the death of the Houthi prime minister, Ahmed Ghaleb Al Rahwi, and other senior figures. Netanyahu described the operation as a “fatal blow” to the rebel group and warned that this was “just the beginning” of a campaign to target its leadership while they were reportedly watching a speech by their leader.
The strike comes after months of persistent attacks by the Houthis against Israel. The Yemeni group has launched weekly missile barrages and targeted international shipping in the Red Sea, actions they claim are in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Gaza war. These attacks have tested Israel’s air defense systems, forcing the use of valuable interceptor missiles and spooking foreign airlines.
The successful assassination of high-ranking officials from a distance of 2,000km showcases a significant leap in Israel’s intelligence-gathering capabilities in Yemen, a region not previously considered a top priority. However, the operation was not a complete success, as the primary target, the Houthi chief of staff, and the defense minister were not killed in the bombing.
In response, the Houthis have sworn retribution. Mehdi Al Mashat, a senior Houthi leader, promised revenge for the killings. Experts like Yoel Guzansky from the INSS think tank acknowledge the strike’s remarkable nature but express doubt that it will deter the group’s ideologically driven attacks, even as it forces their remaining leadership into hiding.