Thousands of Yemenis gathered in Sanaa on Monday to take part in the funeral of Prime Minister Ahmad Ghalib al-Rahawi and a number of cabinet ministers, who were martyred in last Thursday’s Israeli attack on the capital.

Al Mayadeen’s correspondent reported a large turnout at al-Sabeen Square, where the coffins of the Yemeni officials were carried in a solemn procession. The bodies were transferred to al-Shaab Mosque before burial.

Among the martyrs were Information Minister Hashim Sharaf al-Din, Justice and Human Rights Minister Judge Mujahid Ahmad Abdullah, Economy and Industry Minister Moeen al-Mahaqri, Electricity and Energy Minister Ali Saif Hassan al-Samie, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Radwan al-Rubaie, Social Affairs and Labor Minister Samir Ba Jalala, Youth and Sports Minister Mohammad al-Muwallad, Foreign Minister Jamal Amer, Culture and Tourism Minister Ali al-Yafei, and the director general of the Prime Minister’s Office, Mohammad Qasim al-Kubsi.

Yemen will not regret supporting Gaza

During the ceremony, Acting Prime Minister Mohammad Muftah affirmed Yemen’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian people. “We are in an honorable position and will never regret backing Gaza,” he said, noting that the officials were fully convinced of their sacrifices.

He stressed that state institutions remain intact, adding that “the blood of the martyrs gives us motivation and determination. The institutions of the state are functioning, and governance remains stable despite the aggression.”

Muftah pointed out that the government had carried out major reforms over the past year, including restructuring state institutions. He added that Yemen had withstood attempts to strangle its economy, stating, “The enemy targeted the ports to choke Yemen, but they failed. The ports are operating and no crisis has occurred.”

'Israel' opened 'gates of hell'

The Chief of Staff of the Yemeni Armed Forces, Major General Mohammed al-Ghamari, condemned the assassination of Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmad al-Rahawi and several ministers in the recent Israeli strikes on Sanaa on Sunday, stressing that such crimes will not deter Yemen from its firm and supportive stance toward Palestine.

Addressing the occupation directly, Major General al-Ghamari warned, “Know well that by committing this heinous crime, you have opened the gates of hell upon yourselves.”

The Israeli attack on Sanaa on Thursday resulted in the martyrdom of PM al-Rahawi and several government ministers after occupation forces struck civilian neighborhoods in the capital. Yemeni officials quickly pledged retaliation, vowing that the aggression would not go unanswered.

Major General al-Ghamari emphasized that the Yemeni response will be “harsh and painful,” pointing to effective strategic military options under consideration. He assured the leadership and the people: “You will hear soon and see with your own eyes what will heal your hearts.”