Sana’a – Israeli intelligence sources have revealed a striking hypothesis: that Israeli agencies may have infiltrated the communications systems used by Houthi forces in Yemen—specifically their handheld radio devices—to locate and eliminate senior military leaders with surgical precision.

The theory gained traction following the August 2025 Israeli airstrike that reportedly killed Muhammad al-Ghamari, the Houthi Chief of Staff, and other senior figures including Defense Minister Mohamed al-Atifi.

According to an investigation by Intelli Times and JFeed, al-Ghamari was frequently seen using a Motorola TLR7 walkie-talkie, a model manufactured in Israel and widely circulated in conflict zones. Analysts believe this device may have served as a digital beacon, allowing Israeli intelligence to pinpoint his location.

The operation has drawn comparisons to previous Israeli strikes targeting high-profile figures such as Qasem Soleimani, commander of Iran’s Quds Force, and senior leaders of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Unit. In those cases, Israeli and allied intelligence reportedly used a combination of signal interception, drone surveillance, and human intelligence to execute precision assassinations.

Military analysts cited by Israel Today described the Houthi strike as a “decapitation attack” enabled by deep infiltration of the group’s communications network. The Israeli military confirmed that the strike was timed to coincide with a high-level gathering in Sanaa, exploiting what officials called “an intelligence window of opportunity”.

While the Houthis have not publicly acknowledged the breach, the incident has raised alarm among regional militias aligned with Iran. Security experts warn that reliance on unsecured or commercially available communication devices could expose commanders to similar vulnerabilities.

The revelations underscore Israel’s expanding intelligence reach into Iranian proxy networks across the region, from Lebanon to Yemen, and its growing reliance on cyber and signal-based warfare to neutralize threats before they escalate.