YONI BEN MENACHEM -- Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi responded to Israel’s latest strike in Yemen, which killed the prime minister and several ministers, insisting that the losses were “civilian” and would not weaken his country’s stance.
On August 31, Mahdi al-Mashat, head of Yemen’s Supreme Political Council, threatened Israel with “black days” and vowed continued support for Gaza. Yemen’s presidency officially confirmed the death of Prime Minister al-Rahwi on August 30.
Israeli security officials estimate that at least 20 senior figures were killed in the strike, including the deputy minister overseeing force-building and a senior military operations commander. Defense and military chiefs survived, but Israel continues to seek Abdul-Malik al-Houthi himself. Despite formal mourning, the Houthis have imposed a blackout on casualty details.
Arab analysts see the assassination as a strategic shift, signaling improved Israeli intelligence penetration in Yemen. While al-Rahwi’s role was largely administrative, the targeted killings highlight Israel’s growing ability to reach inside the Houthi leadership. For now, experts say the impact is more psychological than operational—creating fear among leaders and forcing them into tighter security measures.