Ahmed al-Rahawi, the Prime Minister of Yemen’s Houthi-led rebel government, was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike on the capital city, Sanaa, on Thursday (August 28), according to multiple Yemeni and regional media outlets.

Yemeni news agency Al-Jumu’hriya reported that Israeli warplanes targeted an apartment building in Sanaa, where Rahawi was killed. Another outlet, Aden al-Ghad, confirmed his death along with several close associates.

The English-language outlet The Times of Israel cited Hebrew media, stating that at least 10 senior Houthi officials — including the rebel defense minister — were targeted in coordinated strikes. However, it is believed that Prime Minister Rahawi was struck in a separate operation.

According to Israeli military sources, the Houthis — including top leaders — had gathered to hear a speech by their leader Abdul-Malek al-Houthi when the attacks occurred. The strike was based on intelligence reports, and despite the presence of air defense systems, Israeli warplanes successfully carried out the operation. The exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed.

Rahawi served as prime minister of the Houthi-run administration that has controlled the Yemeni capital since 2015, when Iran-backed Houthi forces took over Sanaa, forcing then-President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to flee to Saudi Arabia. A Saudi-led coalition has since launched a years-long military campaign to dislodge the rebels — without success.

In recent months, the Houthis have launched multiple drone and ballistic missile attacks on Israeli targets, in response to Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza. Thursday’s reported airstrike marks the most significant Israeli attack on Houthi leadership to date.