Lacking deterrence, Israel’s security establishment opposes attacks on Houthis
Senior Israeli intelligence sources told Al-Monitor that Israel seeks to avoid involvement in the conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, despite concerns that Yemen could further unravel and that Iran is backing the group.
TEL AVIV — The Israeli security establishment opposes a preemptive attack against the Houthis in Yemen, a senior Israeli intelligence source told Al-Monitor.
Israel is deeply concerned about the collapse of the Yemeni-Saudi front against the Houthi rebels and the capabilities the Iran-backed militia are demonstrating. Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said that while Israel’s position could change if the situation escalates, its military recommends that for now, efforts focus on forming a regional coalition against the Houthis.
The Houthis captured the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands in the Red Sea on Monday, expanding their foothold in the strategic waterway leading to Israel’s southern port of Eilat. Last Thursday, the Houthis seized the Red Sea port city of Mokha and on Friday, the group captured Mayyun Island, giving it control of the area around the strategic Bab el Mandeb Strait.
“They have taken some serious blows from our air force,” a top Israeli security official told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. “They have taken quite a few blows from the Americans, and they have also been subjected to years of Saudi airstrikes. And yet they seem to be only getting better,” he said, explaining that the group's attacks have shown ground and intelligence capabilities that should concern anyone within their range.
