Airstrike by Israeli Forces Targets Houthi Leaders in Yemen, Senior Commanders Killed

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) carried out airstrikes on Thursday in Sana’a, Yemen, targeting Houthi leaders and their high-ranking commanders. The attack occurred while a Houthi leader was delivering a nationally broadcast speech.

According to Yemeni sources and local media cited by public broadcaster KAN, Houthi Prime Minister Galib al-Rahawi was killed in the strike. Al-Rahawi was reportedly inside an apartment with several colleagues, as reported by Al-Jumhuriya Channel.

Preliminary reports suggest that the Houthi Defense Minister Mohammad Nasser al-Athifi and Chief of Staff Mohammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari were also killed in the attack. However, Israeli media has not yet issued an official statement confirming their deaths.

The IDF stated that the strike targeted Houthi administrative and governance facilities. Prior to the airstrike, the Houthis launched two drones toward Israel, which the IDF intercepted. Additionally, last Sunday, attacks targeted a ballistic missile site and a power station in Sana’a.

Israeli Defense Minister Katz commented, “After the strike of darkness comes the strike of the firstborn. Anyone attempting to raise a hand against Israel will have their hand cut off.”

Notably, the Houthis have been launching missile and drone attacks toward Israel since October 2023. Although the IDF began retaliatory strikes in July 2024, so far no Houthi weapons have succeeded in killing any Israeli civilians.