Key facts
- Benjamin Netanyahu has offered "Israel's services" to Arabian Peninsula countries for a "comprehensive war" against Yemen's Houthis, according to Lebanese media.
- Israeli assessments fear Houthi control of Bab al-Mandeb could pressure shipping and strain US-led maritime protection.
- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly sought assistance from regional countries, including an indirect request to Israel via US Central Command, to stop the Houthis from blocking Bab al-Mandeb.
- The Houthi capture of Mocha has strengthened their position around the Bab al-Mandeb strait.
- Commercial traffic through Bab al-Mandeb has dropped to about 26 vessels per day from an average of 70 before the Red Sea crisis.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly offered "Israel's services" to countries in the Arabian Peninsula and expressed a willingness to participate in a "comprehensive war" against Yemen's Houthi movement, according to Lebanese media outlet Al-Akhbar. The reports suggest Israel is increasingly concerned about the Houthis' expanding control along Yemen's western coast and their potential to disrupt shipping through the vital Bab al-Mandeb strait.
Israeli assessments cited in the reports indicate that Houthi control of the coast and Bab al-Mandeb could increase pressure on maritime traffic and strain US-led efforts to protect shipping. Israeli intelligence agencies are closely monitoring the Houthis' movements, fearing that their influence could impact tankers and ships entering the Red Sea. The newspaper also cited Israeli assessments that intensified naval activity near Bab al-Mandeb might be required.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reportedly sought assistance from regional countries, including an indirect request to Israel through US Central Command, to prevent the Houthis from blocking Bab al-Mandeb. However, Israel is unlikely to engage in direct military action due to concerns that the Houthis might resume missile and drone attacks against Israel. The crisis could, however, present an opportunity for closer Saudi-Israeli security ties, according to Israeli media.
On the ground, Houthi forces have advanced rapidly, capturing Hays and Al-Khawkhah districts before reaching the strategic port of Mocha. They have since announced the capture of Mayyun Island in Bab al-Mandeb. The renewed fighting has displaced nearly 86,000 people, with over 2,000 reaching Djibouti. The conflict has also spread into Saudi Arabia, with the Houthis claiming responsibility for ballistic missile and drone attacks on a Saudi military base. Yemeni government forces have responded with air strikes against Houthi positions.