Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is hailing a major intelligence victory after a precision strike hit a meeting of the Houthi leadership council, killing the group’s prime minister. Netanyahu described the raid on Sanaa as a “fatal blow” and a sign of Israel’s growing capabilities.
The operation was conducted in response to the Houthis’ ongoing aggression, which they frame as support for Palestinians. This includes launching missiles at Israel and attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea, posing a persistent threat.
This strike marks a significant evolution in Israel’s intelligence-gathering in Yemen, a country that was not a primary focus prior to October 7. While the death of Prime Minister Ahmed Ghaleb Al Rahwi is a blow, the survival of the Houthi chief of staff means the group’s military operations will likely continue.
The Houthi movement has responded with promises of retaliation. While security experts like Yoel Guzansky acknowledge the “remarkable” nature of the attack, they caution that it may not be enough to stop a group whose actions are driven by a powerful ideological cause.