After Gaza… Why Is Israel Preparing for a New Front in Yemen?
NYN | Reports and Analyses
New regional indicators suggest that Israel may continue its military operations against the Houthis (Ansar Allah) in Yemen, according to recent assessments published by The Wall Street Journal in an extensive analysis.
The newspaper explained that the end of the Gaza war, after two years of fighting, does not necessarily mean an end to its military repercussions. The war—according to the report—triggered an unprecedented flow of weapons from the United States to Israel, and shipments continue at a rapid pace, generating substantial profits for American defense companies such as Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and Caterpillar.
The report noted that U.S. arms sales to Israel have risen sharply since October 2023. During that period, Washington approved deals exceeding $32 billion in weapons, ammunition, and military equipment, based on official disclosures from the U.S. State Department.
The analysis highlighted that American taxpayers have borne a significant portion of the cost. Israel receives $3.3 billion annually in Foreign Military Financing (FMF), but that figure doubled last year to $6.8 billion—not including non-cash forms of support.
Even if the Gaza truce develops into a permanent peace agreement, Israel’s military needs will not diminish, the newspaper said, due to ongoing regional threats.
The report suggested that Israel is likely to face growing challenges from regional adversaries such as Iran and armed groups in Yemen, Lebanon, and elsewhere. It noted that most U.S. arms contracts approved for Israel are planned many years in advance, meaning the military support pipeline continues regardless of battlefield developments.
In related context, the analysis cited comments from the Italian defense contractor Leonardo—which sells tanker trailers to the Israeli military through its U.S. subsidiary—stating in its latest quarterly report that its international sales would remain stable this year due to the “ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Israel.”
The newspaper added that the American company benefiting the most from Israel’s military expansion since the Gaza war began is Boeing.
Last year, Washington approved a massive $18.8 billion deal to sell Israel F-15 strike fighters, with deliveries set to begin in 2029.
Meanwhile, several Boeing-led partnerships received approvals this year to sell $7.9 billion worth of guided bombs and related equipment—a figure far exceeding Israel’s previous commitments to purchase only $10 billion worth from the company over the next decade. These deals now form a major component of Boeing’s $74 billion order backlog.
