A tale of two palaces has unfolded in the Middle East conflict, with Israel striking the Houthi presidential palace compound in Yemen in a powerful act of retaliation. The move directly targeted the primary symbol of the rebel group’s authority.
The Houthi palace in Sanaa became a target after the Iran-backed group launched a sophisticated missile attack on Israel. This act of aggression prompted a decisive response from the Israeli government, which chose to hit the Houthis where it would hurt both militarily and symbolically.
Defence Minister Israel Katz went as far as to claim that the IDF had “destroyed” the palace, a statement intended to project an image of a successful and devastating blow. While unconfirmed, the fact that the compound was hit sends a clear message to the Houthi leadership that they are not immune from direct attack.
This focus on the Houthi seat of power, in a raid that also caused dozens of casualties, underscores the severity of the new phase in this conflict. It is a direct challenge to the legitimacy of Houthi rule, turning their own symbol of power into a target.
