Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Tensions between the Houthi movement in Yemen and Israel have sharply escalated following a deadly Israeli airstrike that killed senior Houthi officials, including the group’s de facto Prime Minister. In response, Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi vowed a significant intensification of attacks on Israel using ballistic missiles and drones, warning of a “continuous, steady, and escalating path” of retaliation.
In a televised address broadcast Sunday by the Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV, al-Houthi declared that recent Israeli actions would not weaken the group’s resolve. “The latest Israeli aggression will not lead to retreat, weakness, or humiliation,” he said, adding that future operations will deliver “additional successes of great importance.”
The remarks came just two days after Israeli forces conducted a precision strike on a facility in the Yemeni capital, Sana’a, killing Ahmad Ghaleb al-Rahwi, the head of the Houthi-appointed government, along with several of his ministers. Though the Houthis did not specify the exact number or roles of the officials killed, the group confirmed they were all involved in civilian affairs, not military operations.
The Israeli military described the strike as a decisive blow. A statement released Saturday claimed the attack was the result of “a swift operational cycle and an intelligence breakthrough,” targeting high-ranking military and government figures. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant called it a “crushing blow” and warned, “This is only the beginning.”
The strike came hours after Israeli air defenses intercepted a drone launched from Yemen, which triggered sirens in communities near the Gaza border. It followed a similar interception of a missile from Yemen the previous day, as Houthi attacks on Israel have become increasingly frequent since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023.
The Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have consistently framed their involvement as part of a broader campaign to support Palestinians in Gaza. They have launched multiple missile and drone attacks toward Israeli territory, most of which have been intercepted, and have also targeted commercial vessels in the Red Sea, claiming links to Israel.
In response, Israel has launched repeated strikes over the past months on Houthi positions, infrastructure, and leadership compounds in northern Yemen. The Israeli government has warned that any attempt to attack its territory will be met with severe retaliation. Defense Minister Katz recently reiterated that message, stating: “Anyone who raises a hand against Israel will have it cut off.”
In June, Katz also threatened to impose a “naval and air blockade” on the Houthi-controlled regions of Yemen, including the capital Sana’a, if attacks continue.
Beyond the military confrontation, the aftermath of the strike has led to a broader internal crackdown within Houthi-controlled areas. Reports from Sana’a suggest that Houthi forces have launched raids on UN missions and humanitarian offices, along with a wave of arrests targeting suspected dissenters or collaborators.
The situation further complicates an already volatile regional picture, as Yemen becomes increasingly entangled in the broader shadow war between Israel and Iran’s network of allied militias across the Middle East. With no immediate signs of de-escalation, the risk of wider conflict continues to grow.
