Israel is examining whether the escalating confrontation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis could open the door to expanded security and intelligence cooperation with Riyadh, as the two countries increasingly find themselves facing the same threat from Yemen. Israeli officials have held discussions in recent days over whether the changing regional situation could be used to deepen ties with the kingdom, according to a report cited by Bechadrei Chareidim.

The discussions come as security contacts between Israel and Saudi Arabia are already taking place. An Israeli report said the two sides recently held U.S. Central Command-mediated talks regarding possible Israeli intelligence assistance to Saudi Arabia in confronting the Houthis. The Saudi need for assistance has grown as the Houthis expand their presence along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, seize strategic positions near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and intensify attacks on Saudi targets, including energy infrastructure.

For Israel, the escalating Houthi threat presents a potential opportunity to revive elements of the security cooperation and understandings that had been developing with Saudi Arabia before October 7. The Houthis have repeatedly targeted Israel and threatened Red Sea shipping, while their growing confrontation with Riyadh has given Israel and Saudi Arabia a more immediate shared security interest.

Israeli officials are also reportedly concerned about the opposite scenario: Saudi Arabia could seek a separate arrangement with the Houthis that ends attacks against the kingdom while leaving Israel to confront the Yemen-based terrorist group on its own. That concern comes amid a Reuters report that U.S. representatives secretly met senior Houthi officials in Oman over the weekend. According to the report, the Houthis indicated they would continue observing their ceasefire with the United States while leaving open the possibility of attacks against Saudi vessels.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)