IDF ‘Lucky Drop’ Operation Targets Top Houthi Commanders in Yemen
Israel conducted a targeted airstrike in Sanaa, Yemen, likely killing senior Houthi leaders, including their Defense Minister and Chief of Staff, during a gathering.
The Israeli Air Force launched a precision strike earlier today in Sanaa, Yemen, targeting a gathering of senior Houthi officials during a speech by their leader, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi. Israel estimates the attack killed the Houthi Defense Minister, Mohammed Nasser al-Atifi, and Chief of Staff, Mohammed Abdul Karim al-Ghamari, who survived a previous Israeli attempt in June 2024 during the “12 Days War.”
A security official stated, “We estimate that we succeeded,” though al-Houthi was not present. The operation, dubbed “Lucky Drop,” targeted safe houses hosting over ten Houthi ministers and military leaders watching al-Houthi’s televised address. A Sanaa resident told Ynet, “The explosion was very strong, it felt like it came from under the ground,” describing it as “like an earthquake” with at least ten missiles fired in under five minutes.
The IDF confirmed striking a Houthi military target, stating, “The Houthi terrorist organization has been operating under Iranian direction and funding in order to harm the state and its allies since the beginning of the war, undermining regional stability and disrupting global freedom of navigation.” Defense Minister Israel Katz, who approved the strike with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, declared, “As we warned the Houthis in Yemen, after the Plague of Darkness comes the Plague of the Firstborn. Whoever raises a hand against Israel, his hand will be cut off.” The operation followed intelligence received at 1:00 p.m., with Netanyahu’s approval via a secure line as jets were airborne. Al-Mayadeen reported over ten strikes, while Yemeni social media urged withholding attack footage, met with local mockery.
This was Israel’s second strike in Sanaa that week, following a Sunday attack involving 14 jets dropping 40 munitions on the presidential palace, Asar and Hizaz power plants, and a fuel storage site. The IDF noted these targets supported Houthi military operations, disrupting their missile and drone attacks on Israel, which included a “Palestine-2” ballistic missile with split warheads, per al-Houthi’s claims. Yemen’s civil war, where 21 million need aid per UN data, the Houthis’ Iranian-backed actions, including Red Sea shipping attacks, have escalated regional tensions.