Netanyahu’s Calculated Escalation: Houthi PM Assassinated in Yemen Strike

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has undertaken a calculated escalation in the conflict with the Houthis, ordering a strike that assassinated their prime minister. Netanyahu celebrated the hit as a “fatal blow” but has also pushed the region closer to a wider war.
The Israeli government justified the attack as a necessary response to the Houthis’ missile barrages and maritime attacks, which the group frames as support for Gaza. The strike on Sanaa is a clear signal that Israel’s patience has run out.
The operation was a stunning success in terms of intelligence and execution, but it was not a clean sweep. The survival of the Houthi military chief means Israel has antagonized the group without fully disabling its ability to retaliate.
The Houthis’ vow of revenge was predictable and sets the stage for further violence. As analyst Yoel Guzansky noted, the strike disrupts the leadership but fails to address the core “motivation of the Houthis,” which remains the central challenge.