Israel's concern: Houthis threaten to carry out ground attacks

Security officials assess that the threat from the Houthis in Yemen has intensified, and they are threatening to carry out ground attacks against Israel. The IDF is preparing for raid and surprise scenarios in the Eilat sector, including through the establishment of a fire center in the Edom Formation, coordination between ground, sea, and air forces, and joint exercises with the Israel Police and Border Police.

Security officials in Israel assess that the threat from the Houthis in Yemen has intensified recently, against the backdrop of fighting between them and Saudi Arabia. The main concern is that the Houthis will attempt to carry out ground attacks against Israel, in addition to existing threats from the sea. The IDF is preparing for raid and surprise scenarios in the Eilat sector, including the establishment of a fire center in the Edom Formation, mobilization of reserve forces, joint exercises with the Israel Police and Border Police, and shortening response times. In the past two years, the Houthis have distributed videos of ground raid training on mock positions. Security officials describe the Houthis as unpredictable and challenging, with an extreme and persistent ideology. The defense establishment does not rule out a chain reaction in which the Houthis increase fire on the Saudi home front, drawing a Saudi and American response, and attack American interests in Israel. A security official was quoted as saying that the Houthis "are no longer perceived as a proxy of the Iranians" and are demonstrating operational independence. Operational and intelligence coordination between the IDF and the US Central Command continues to refine deterrence.