Israel-Houthi Conflict Escalates with Airstrikes and Raids

The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels reported that their prime minister, Ahmed al-Rahawi, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Sanaa, Yemen's capital, along with several other ministers. The strike occurred during a government workshop and was part of Israel's conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The Houthis have been launching missiles at Israel in solidarity with Palestinians, prompting Israeli retaliation and a U.S.-led coalition's strikes on Houthi-held areas. Israel confirmed striking a 'Houthi terrorist regime military target' in Sanaa. The Houthis and Israel have been engaged in an escalating cycle of violence, with the Houthis continuing to launch attacks despite Israeli and coalition responses.

Israel has confirmed it carried out a second airstrike on Houthi targets in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, within a week. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the Houthis, backed by Iran, were operating to harm Israel and its allies, undermining regional stability and global freedom of navigation. The strikes came after Israel intercepted two drones from Yemen. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned the Houthis, saying, 'Whoever raises a hand against Israel, their hand will be cut off.' The conflict between Israel and the Houthis has been ongoing for nearly two years, with the Houthis continuing to launch attacks on Israel in support of Palestinians in Gaza.

Yemen's Houthi rebels raided United Nations offices and detained several people on Sunday, following the killing of their prime minister, Ahmed al Rahawi, in an Israeli strike on Thursday. The raids were part of a long-running Houthi crackdown against the UN and other international organizations working in rebel-held areas of Yemen. The Houthis have controlled much of northwestern Yemen since 2014 and are backed by Iran. They have conducted repeated strikes on shipping in the Red Sea and Israel. The UN's food, health, and children's agencies were among those raided, with reports suggesting 11 UN workers were detained.