ALBAWABA - After a series of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen that killed high-ranking Yemeni officials, Israel has put in place extraordinary security measures to protect Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The International Criminal Court (ICC) wants him for war crimes in Gaza.
The Israeli Broadcasting Authority says that the Shin Bet, Israel's internal security agency, has put in place special safety measures for Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, and other high-ranking government officials after Yemen's Ansar Allah movement (Houthis) made clear threats against them.
As part of the new security measures, Israeli officials moved two important meetings—one with the Israeli government and the other with the Security Cabinet—to a safe, secret location. Channel 12 said that ministers were told about the move just before the sessions to keep security leaks from happening and to make sure they were safe.
Israeli Attack Aims at Yemeni Leaders
The security situation has gotten worse since the Ansar Allah movement (Houthis) said that an Israeli airstrike on Sana'a last Thursday killed Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed Ghaleb Al-Rahwi and several ministers. The attack was on a regular government workshop, and it's the first time since Israel started airstrikes on Yemen in July 2024 that it has killed high-ranking Yemeni officials.
Houthis Promise to Fight Back
The strike has made tensions in the area worse. Major General Mohammed Al-Ghamari, the Houthi forces' Chief of Staff, said that Israel "has opened the gates of hell upon itself" and promised a "harsh, painful, and strategic response."
Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi, the leader of the Ansar Allah movement, said on TV that the Israeli attack "will not change Yemen's official or public position." He also said that support for the Palestinian cause will continue to grow stronger despite the attack.
Increasing Regional Tension
The Houthis have stepped up their attacks on Israel in the last few months, firing ballistic missiles, armed drones, and attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea that are linked to Israel. The group says that these actions are a way for them to show their support for Palestinians, who they say are still going through what they call "ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza."
Analysts say that the conflict could spread beyond Gaza and Yemen, which would make the region even less stable. Netanyahu is facing more security threats, and Israel is getting ready for possible retaliation.
