Israel Targets Multiple Senior Houthi Officials in Sanaa Airstrikes, Awaiting Confirmation

Israel conducted targeted airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen, aiming at senior Houthi officials including the group's chief of staff Muhammad Abd Al-Karim al-Ghamari and defense minister Mohammed al-Atifi, following drone attacks by the Houthis on Israel. Israeli military officials described the operation as precise and executed during a gathering of Houthi leaders, while reports indicate the possible killing of Houthi prime minister Ahmed al-Rahawi and several cabinet members, though the Houthis have denied these claims and called the strikes failures. The Houthis, an Iranian-backed group, have been actively supporting Gaza through missile and drone attacks on Israel and shipping in the Red Sea, prompting Israeli retaliatory strikes on Houthi-controlled areas, including the strategic Hodeidah port. Despite conflicting reports on casualties among Houthi leadership, the group has vowed continued support for Gaza and threatened retaliation against Israel. Israeli authorities remain in the process of verifying the full impact of the airstrikes amid ongoing tensions and exchanges of attacks between Israel and the Houthis. The situation underscores the expanding regional conflict linked to the Gaza war and Iran's influence via the Houthis in Yemen.