Sana’a - Saba:
Israeli media on Saturday spotlighted growing concerns within the Zionist security establishment over a potential retaliatory strike by Yemeni armed forces following a joint "Israeli-American-British" airstrike on Yemeni targets last Friday.
Channel 12 reported on its website that “the Zionist security apparatus is on high alert, fearing an imminent Houthi response to Friday’s attack.” It noted that the joint operation, which marked the fifth such attack on Yemen since the beginning of the genocidal war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, aimed to send a “clear message to Iran” about heightened coordination between Israel, the U.S., and the U.K.
Channel Kan revealed that Israeli intelligence had recruited dozens of Yemeni-origin Jews to address what it described as “threats from Ansar Allah (the Houthis).” These recruits, fluent in Yemeni Arabic and familiar with Yemeni culture, will serve in the AMAN intelligence division to aid in intelligence gathering and cultural analysis.
The Israeli media also highlighted the economic and security implications of the ongoing conflict, emphasizing the risks of entering a prolonged attrition war with Yemen. Analysts pointed out that Yemen has successfully drawn Israel into a complex confrontation, with predictions that Israel could ultimately emerge as the losing party.
Reports revealed that approximately 100 Israeli aircraft participated in the attack on Yemen, conducting seven airstrikes on Sana’a and three on Hodeidah. Channel 14 noted a lack of robust U.S. support for Israel in this conflict, with political correspondent Tamir Morag citing two main challenges: the Biden administration’s reluctance to escalate operations against the Houthis and a shortage of interceptor missiles, complicating efforts to counter Yemeni strikes.
Economically, experts highlighted the severe impact of Yemeni naval attacks, particularly the complete shutdown of Eilat Port, which has dealt a significant blow to Israel. Military correspondent Nir Dvori of Channel 12 reported that Israel is facing an attrition war that could last weeks, with daily Yemeni missile and drone attacks exhausting its defensive systems.
Gulf affairs expert Yoel Guzansky predicted that Yemen would exploit this situation to further drain Israel’s resources, warning that “Israel is gradually falling into the Yemeni trap, and I fear this war could end in our defeat.”
Since October 7, 2023, Israel, with U.S. support, has waged a genocidal war on Gaza, resulting in over 155,000 Palestinian casualties, including women and children, and leaving more than 11,000 missing. The war has caused massive destruction, famine, and the deaths of scores of children and the elderly, marking one of the worst humanitarian disasters in modern history.
E.M
