Netanyahu Seeks Saudi Approval for Strikes on Houthis in Yemen

A possible Israeli-Saudi military partnership against Iran-backed forces could redraw regional alliances, as the conflict threatens to engulf more of the Middle East.

By Khurram Ali Raza
Faith & Freedom News (FFN) · October 13, 2026

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly seeking Saudi Arabia’s approval to launch military strikes against Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen, a move that could open the door to unprecedented Israeli-Saudi military cooperation as the conflict threatens to engulf more of the Middle East.

According to a diplomatic source cited by Haaretz on Monday, Netanyahu is working through American mediators to secure Saudi permission for Israel to join military operations against the Houthis, who have intensified missile and drone attacks against the kingdom.

The Israeli initiative reportedly has two objectives: weakening the Iranian-backed terrorist threat in Yemen while laying the groundwork for a future normalization agreement between Jerusalem and Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia has maintained that normalization requires progress toward establishing a Palestinian state, a condition Netanyahu continues to reject.

However, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman remains reluctant to approve Israeli involvement, reportedly fearing a domestic backlash over cooperation with Israel.

Deadly Houthi Attacks Raise Stakes

The diplomatic effort comes amid a dramatic escalation in Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, including repeated strikes on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

According to the Associated Press, attacks on the airport killed at least 13 people and wounded more than 300, prompting Saudi authorities to investigate how their sophisticated air-defense systems failed to intercept the incoming missiles and drones.

Initial findings suggest the Houthis used waves of drones to overwhelm Saudi defenses before launching cruise and ballistic missiles against the airport.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attacks, which killed an American citizen, as a blatant disregard for civilian life.

Meanwhile, Reuters reported that Saudi-led forces have intensified airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen, destroying missile-launching platforms while attempting to reverse the group’s territorial advances near the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The waterway connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and serves as a critical passage for international commerce and energy shipments.

A Potential Strategic Realignment

Israeli participation in the Saudi campaign would represent a significant development in Middle Eastern security cooperation.

Although Israel and Saudi Arabia have no formal diplomatic relations, both countries view Iran and its regional proxies as major security threats.

With Saudi Arabia already under sustained missile attack and tensions surrounding Iran continuing to rise, the coming days could determine whether the Yemen conflict becomes another major front in the regional war.