Beyond Symbols: Israel Hits Houthi Economic and Energy Lifelines

Moving beyond purely symbolic targets, Israel’s recent airstrikes on Sanaa struck the economic and energy lifelines of the Houthi regime. The deliberate targeting of a major fuel depot and two power stations indicates a strategy aimed at causing systemic collapse and operational paralysis.
This approach was a direct response to a Houthi missile attack that featured a cluster bomb. Rather than a simple tit-for-tat strike, Israel opted to attack the foundational infrastructure that powers the Houthi war effort and their governance in the areas they control. The destruction of these assets has a long-term debilitating effect.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the punishing nature of the raid, stating the Houthis are paying a “very heavy price.” This price is measured not just in military losses but in the disruption to their fuel supply and electricity grid, which impacts everything from military logistics to public services.
While the strike on the presidential palace compound garnered headlines, the hits on energy infrastructure could prove more strategically significant. The raid, which killed six and wounded 86, was a calculated blow against the Houthis’ ability to function and sustain their fight.