An Israeli airstrike in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, has killed the prime minister of the Houthi rebel-controlled government, according to Houthi officials. The strike occurred on Thursday and is reported to be the most significant loss for the Houthis in the ongoing Israeli-U.S. campaign against the Iranian-backed group.

Ahmed al-Rahawi was killed along with several ministers during a government workshop aimed at evaluating their activities over the past year. The airstrike coincided with a broadcast by Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the leader of the rebel group, who was discussing the situation in Gaza and promising retaliation against Israel. The meeting was held in a villa in Beit Baws, a village in southern Sanaa, where senior Houthi officials typically gathered to watch al-Houthi's speeches.

The Israeli military confirmed the strike, stating it targeted a military facility associated with the Houthi regime. They described the operation as a precise strike against a terrorist target. The military did not provide immediate comments regarding the death of al-Rahawi.

Al-Rahawi, who was appointed prime minister in August 2024, was not part of the inner circle that manages the military and strategic operations of the Houthis. His role primarily involved overseeing civilian affairs in Sanaa and other areas under Houthi control. He had previously allied with the Houthis during their takeover of Sanaa in 2014, which marked the beginning of Yemen's prolonged civil war.

The airstrike is part of a broader military campaign by the U.S. and Israel in response to Houthi missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and maritime vessels in the Red Sea. The Houthis have claimed these attacks are in solidarity with the Palestinian cause amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Over the past two years, their actions have significantly disrupted shipping in the Red Sea, a vital trade route.

Analysts have noted that the killing of al-Rahawi represents a serious setback for the Houthis. Ahmed Nagi, a senior analyst, remarked that this shift in Israeli strategy from targeting infrastructure to focusing on leadership poses a greater threat to the Houthi command structure.

The recent escalation follows a series of airstrikes, including one that hit an oil facility controlled by the Houthis and another that resulted in significant casualties at a prison in northern Sadaa province. The ongoing conflict has led to numerous deaths and injuries among both military and civilian populations in Yemen.