Israeli Airstrike in Yemen Kills Houthi Prime Minister, Heightening Regional Tensions

Yemen's Houthi government announced that Prime Minister Ahmad Ghaleb al-Rahawi was killed in an Israeli airstrike, according to a news agency affiliated with the group. The agency also reported the deaths of several other ministers, though their identities were not immediately released.

Israel confirmed the airstrike, stating it targeted the Iran-aligned group's chief of staff, defense minister, and other senior officials, and that they were verifying the outcome. Following the confirmation of the prime minister's death, a statement from Defense Minister Mohamed al-Atifi indicated the group's readiness to confront Israel. Reports from Saudi Arabian news sources indicated that the Houthis’ foreign minister, along with the ministers for justice, youth and sports, social affairs, and labor, were also killed in the attack.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated the strike was made possible by intelligence gathering and a rapid operational cycle. They confirmed the death of the Houthi prime minister and other senior officials, whom they identified as being responsible for military actions and terror activities against Israel. Rahawi had assumed the role of prime minister nearly a year prior, but his deputy, Mohamed Moftah, was assigned to carry out his duties. Rahawi was largely considered a figurehead, not part of the core Houthi leadership.

The Israeli military described the attack as a "complex operation" enabled by intelligence and air superiority, targeting a compound in the Sana’a area where senior Houthi figures had gathered. Since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023, the Houthis, who are aligned with Iran, have attacked vessels in the Red Sea, describing these actions as solidarity with the Palestinians. They have also launched missiles towards Israel, most of which have been intercepted. Israel has responded with strikes on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, including the strategic Hodeidah port.