Israel Prepares to Target Houthi Media Personnel

NYN | Reports and analyses

Israel’s concerns are growing significantly as the capabilities of the Yemeni Armed Forces in Sana’a continue to expand, presenting an unprecedented unconventional threat to the Israeli entity.

Tel Aviv views the rising military power in Yemen, led by the Houthis (Ansar Allah), as more than just limited threats or standard military operations. It is seen as a strategic challenge, particularly given the Yemeni forces’ readiness to conduct long-range operations using advanced weapons such as ballistic missiles and drones.

In this context, Amos Yadlin, the former head of Israeli military intelligence, warned that the threat posed by Yemeni forces to “Israel” surpasses the boundaries of traditional deterrence. He emphasized that countering this threat requires more than targeting limited military objectives.

In a striking statement to Hebrew media, he noted that if “Israel” opts for deterrence and a ceasefire as primary goals, a long-term effort to overthrow the regime in Sana’a would be necessary.

He added that such an effort should be part of a comprehensive strategy that includes a wide-scale campaign against Yemeni media outlets, aiming to weaken them and undermine media personnel loyal to the Houthis (Ansar Allah).

Pushing the boundaries further, the former Israeli intelligence chief stated that any harm to the media infrastructure and media personnel associated with the Houthis (Ansar Allah) could be internationally justified if they are framed as information warfare leaders belonging to a terrorist organization.

Yadlin emphasized that the Houthis’ threat to “Israel” is not merely a slogan but a jihadist religious doctrine supported by an ongoing operational plan.

He called on his entity’s leadership to continuously assess its deterrence strategy, warning of its potential failure, as witnessed on October 7.

Amid escalating tensions, any involvement by Israel in the conflict with Sana’a seems unlikely to serve its interests. It risks dragging Israel into an open confrontation that could come at a heavy cost—not only jeopardizing its immediate security but also threatening its survival as an entity in the region.

Today, Sana’a’s forces possess advanced military capabilities that represent a long-term threat that cannot be ignored. Any Israeli misadventure could lead to a severe strategic setback. The best option for Israel might be to avoid direct escalation and seek political solutions that help it steer clear of a conflict that could result in dramatic shifts in the regional balance of power.