Israeli Airstrike Reportedly Kills Houthi Prime Minister in Sanaa

Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi was reportedly killed Thursday in an Israeli airstrike on his apartment in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa.

The Details: The Israel Defense Forces said Friday it also targeted the Houthi defense minister and chief of staff in a strike operation, but it’s still awaiting confirmation of the outcome. Times of Israel (Center bias) said the strike that reportedly killed al-Rahawi was separate from another attack Thursday that targeted 10 senior Houthi ministers gathered outside Sanaa for a speech by the group’s leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi. Houthi officials denied Israeli claims that senior leaders were killed in Thursday's air strikes on Yemen's capital Sanaa, calling reports of casualties "fake news."

For Context: Since the start of the Israel-Gaza war, the Houthis have targeted several ships in the Red Sea. The group resumed operations March 11, citing limited aid to Gaza, and vowed escalation after Israeli strikes later that month. In August, Israeli airstrikes struck Sanaa days after Houthi rebels launched a missile toward Israel. The Houthi-run health ministry said at least six people were killed and 86 others were wounded.

How the Media Covered It: Times of Israel covered the attack and cited Yemeni sources who confirmed the attack, though it reiterated that the outcome is yet to be confirmed. It included details of the gathering in Sanaa that targeted other Houthi senior ministers. Washington Examiner (Lean Right) mentioned that Israel has accused the Houthis of taking a hostile position against it, “sowing disruption and aiding the terrorist group’s allies” since the beginning of the war. Newsweek (Center) said the Houthis denying al-Rahawi’s death was another example of an ongoing information war by both sides. It wrote Israel’s strike demonstrates “its willingness to expand operations against Iranian-backed groups destabilizing the region.”

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