While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lauds the killing of the Houthi prime minister as a “fatal blow,” the group’s core military command structure remains untouched. The strike on Sanaa was a political victory, but its strategic military impact is questionable.
Netanyahu celebrated the death of Ahmed Ghaleb Al Rahwi as a major success in response to the Houthis’ ongoing attacks on Israel. The Yemeni rebels have consistently linked their aggression to the war in Gaza and their support for the Palestinian cause.
The operation was a testament to Israel’s enhanced intelligence capabilities, but the primary targets—the Houthi chief of staff and defense minister—were not hit. This leaves the architects of the anti-Israel campaign at large and free to plan their revenge.
The Houthis have promised retribution, and experts like Yoel Guzansky caution that the strike is unlikely to stop their missile attacks. While it forces the leadership to be more cautious, it does not remove their capacity or will to fight.