Israel’s Airstrikes on Yemen: Escalation, Civilian Toll, and Regional Fallout

On August 28, 2025, Israel launched a series of targeted airstrikes on Yemen’s Houthi-controlled capital, Sanaa, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Iran-backed Houthi movement. Codenamed “Operation Lucky Drop,” the strikes targeted senior Houthi officials, resulting in the deaths of the group’s prime minister, Ahmed al-Rahawi, and several other ministers, while causing civilian casualties, including children, and contributing to a broader wave of regional tensions. This article examines the strikes, their human cost, the political ramifications, and their place within recent Middle Eastern catastrophes.