Rebel group claims that Houthi Prime Minister and ministers were assassinated as a result of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen.

In a significant escalation of tensions, the Israeli Air Force conducted airstrikes on Sana'a, the capital of Yemen, on Thursday. The attacks were carried out using more than ten combat aircraft, which were refueled mid-air and flew over 2,000 kilometers from Israel’s border, taking approximately 5.5 hours of flight time.

The targeted area was controlled by the Houthis, a Yemeni rebel group backed by Iran, who have been frequently targeted by Israel in recent months due to their attacks on Western vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The Houthis have claimed responsibility for the air strike, stating that their governmental functions would still be able to take place despite the deaths. The group announced the martyrdom of Ahmed Ghaleb al-Rahawi, their prime minister, along with several ministers, during the attack.

Ahmed al-Rahawi was reportedly targeted during a workshop for the administration. The latest strikes came after the Houthis launched a missile attack on southern Israel on Wednesday, which was reportedly intercepted.

The escalation of the war in Gaza is occurring alongside these strikes in Yemen. Israeli media reports suggest there were 12 fatalities in the strikes. The Houthis, in their statement, indicated that the blood of the martyrs would serve as fuel and motivation to continue on their path.

The strikes on Thursday were conducted by the Israeli Defence Force against a Houthi military target in Sana'a. The Houthis have been involved in a power struggle with the internationally recognised government of Yemen, which has been based in the southern city of Aden since 2015.

This conflict in Yemen has been ongoing for several years, causing widespread humanitarian crisis and making it one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters. The international community has urged all parties to the conflict to cease hostilities and engage in peaceful dialogue to find a resolution to the crisis.