Houthi PM Ahmed al-Rahawi killed in Israeli airstrikes on Yemen's Sanaa: Report

Iran-backed Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi - File Photo

Israeli airstrikes on Yemen’s capital Sanaa killed Iran-backed Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi and targeted senior officials, including the group’s defence minister, Euronews reported.

The Israeli military said the strikes hit Houthi-controlled Sanaa on Thursday, days after the group launched missiles and drones in support of Palestinians.

The Israeli military said it struck Houthi military sites in Sanaa, including the presidential palace, after repeated attacks on Israel. Authorities in the Yemeni capital reported at least 10 killed and 90 wounded.

According to Yemeni outlet Al-Jumhuriya, Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi was killed in his apartment during the strikes, along with several associates. Israeli officials also believe Defence Minister Mohamed al-Atifi and Chief of Staff Muhammad Abd Al-Karim al-Ghamari were eliminated during a cabinet meeting outside Sanaa, though assessments are still underway. Al-Ghamari had already been wounded in an earlier Israeli attack, Euronews reported.

The airstrikes coincided with a planned speech by Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, though he was not present at the targeted location. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, who approved the operation alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Chief of Staff General Eyal Zamir, warned: “As we warned the Houthis in Yemen, after the Plague of Darkness comes the Plague of the Firstborn. Whoever raises a hand against Israel — his hand will be cut off.”

The Houthis, who control much of Yemen and are backed by Iran, have attacked Israel repeatedly since the Gaza war began, also targeting ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden they claim are linked to Israel. Yemen has been at war since 2014.

In May, the Trump administration announced a deal with the Houthis to end strikes in exchange for halting attacks on shipping.