The Israeli military has reportedly raised its level of preparedness amid concerns that escalating pressure on the Houthis from Saudi Arabia could prompt the Yemeni movement to redirect attacks towards Eilat, potentially drawing Israel into the confrontation and widening the conflict to include Iran and the United States.
Israeli military correspondent Amir Bohbot of Walla reported that consultations and security briefings within the Israeli military have intensified in recent days as officials assess the possibility of the Saudi-Houthi confrontation expanding into a broader regional escalation.
According to Bohbot, Israeli security officials are not ruling out a scenario in which the widening conflict brings Israel into direct confrontation with the Houthis, followed by an Iranian response that could further reshape the Saudi-Houthi conflict.
As a result, the Israeli military has increased readiness within its air force and air defence systems, while Military Intelligence has reportedly refined its warning models within the unit responsible for monitoring the wider regional arena. The assessments have also been presented to Israel’s political leadership.
Escalation Between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia
The developments come amid a sharp escalation between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia.
Over the past week, the Houthis have launched ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones towards Saudi territory, claiming to have targeted sensitive sites in Riyadh and facilities belonging to Saudi Aramco.
Saudi Arabia announced that it had intercepted a ballistic missile targeting Riyadh and thwarted additional attacks. A fire was also reported at a fuel facility near the capital’s international airport. Recent independent reporting has confirmed a major escalation involving missile and drone attacks on Saudi targets, including Riyadh and energy infrastructure.
Saudi forces responded with unusually heavy air strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.
At the same time, Houthi forces carried out a ground manoeuvre along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and around the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, an area of major strategic importance for regional shipping and energy routes.
The movement’s position along the coast gives it the ability to launch missiles and threaten vessels operating in the Red Sea, increasing the regional implications of the confrontation.
Reported Secret Contacts Between Washington and the Houthis
According to the Israeli report, indirect and discreet communications have also taken place between the United States and the Houthis.
The Houthis reportedly conveyed messages that they would avoid targeting US interests in the region as long as Washington did not intervene directly in the conflict.
At this stage, the United States has refrained from major direct military involvement in the renewed Saudi-Houthi confrontation. Recent reporting has similarly indicated that Washington has avoided direct participation despite requests for additional military support from Saudi Arabia.
Against that backdrop, Walla reported that Israel’s political leadership approved the transfer of intelligence on the Houthis to Saudi Arabia through US mediation.
Secret US-mediated discussions were also reportedly held over possible assistance in providing warnings about drones and missiles, although no tangible progress has yet been made.
Sources within the Israeli security establishment described the issue as highly sensitive.
Israeli Concern That the Houthis Could Shift Towards Eilat
For now, Israeli officials reportedly believe the various fronts remain separate.
However, Israeli intelligence and Mossad are closely monitoring developments amid concern that increased Saudi military pressure could encourage the Houthis to seek another front by launching attacks towards Israel.
One scenario being examined is that the Houthis could attempt to divert pressure by targeting Eilat.
If Israel responded militarily, Israeli officials fear the confrontation could develop into a wider escalation involving Iran, potentially pulling the United States deeper into the regional crisis.
The concern is particularly sensitive because the renewed Saudi-Houthi fighting is unfolding alongside broader tensions involving Iran and the United States.
Israeli Claims Over Iran’s Role
Israeli security sources claim Iran continues to provide the Houthis with intelligence, technology and assistance related to weapons production and raw materials.
They also accuse Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of using its relationship with the Houthis to pressure Saudi Arabia and weaken US influence across the region.
These claims remain part of the Israeli security assessment cited in the report.
At the same time, Tehran has been pursuing understandings with Washington aimed at ending the broader confrontation, while Israeli officials continue to characterise the Houthis as an operational arm of Iran.
A Conflict Israel Says It Has Not Yet Entered
The Israeli military is therefore preparing for the possibility that the current Saudi-Houthi confrontation could eventually reach Israel.
If Houthi attacks expand to Israeli targets, the Israeli military could find itself drawn into direct confrontation with the group.
Meanwhile, secret consultations are reportedly continuing between Saudi Arabia and the United States, while US Central Command is keeping Israel informed of developments.
Saudi Arabia is expected to continue responding forcefully to Houthi attacks, while Israeli security sources maintain that Israel is not currently directly involved in the confrontation.
For now, that separation remains intact.
The concern in Tel Aviv is what happens if the direction of the missiles changes.
