Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s declaration of a “fatal blow” to the Houthis after killing their prime minister is being met with a mix of praise and skepticism. While the strike in Sanaa was a tactical success, experts question whether it will cripple the Yemeni group or merely fuel its desire for revenge.
Netanyahu was unequivocal, stating the attack was “just the beginning” of a campaign to eliminate the Houthi leadership. The strike was a direct consequence of the Houthis’ unrelenting missile attacks on Israel and their blockade of Red Sea shipping, which they claim is to support the Palestinian cause.
The operation was a clear demonstration of Israel’s improved intelligence capabilities in a region that had not been a priority before the current conflict. Yet, the mission was incomplete, as key military figures like the Houthi chief of staff and defense minister were not among the dead.
The Houthis have confirmed the death of Prime Minister Ahmed Ghaleb Al Rahwi and have vowed retaliation. Analyst Yoel Guzansky acknowledged the strike was a “remarkable” blow that will disrupt the group’s operations but warned it would not change their core motivation, suggesting the conflict is far from over.