Israel Increases Defense Budget Amid Rising Threats from Syria and Yemen

Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, announced on Sunday that the country must increase its defense budget in response to growing regional threats, particularly following recent developments in Syria. In a statement to the Nagel Committee, which is responsible for evaluating Israel’s defense strategies and military spending, Katz emphasized the need for Israel to bolster its defense capabilities to address the increasing risks, especially after the recent ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad by Islamist forces.

Katz outlined the ongoing and escalating threats to Israel, particularly along its northern borders. He warned that despite efforts by rebel groups to present themselves as moderate, the instability in Syria and the shift in power dynamics have intensified the security risks for Israel. He stressed that Israel must be prepared to defend itself independently against any emerging threat, emphasizing the importance of maintaining military readiness.

Katz also mentioned that Israel’s military is preparing to maintain its presence on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon during the winter months, aiming to prevent the region from falling into hostile hands. This follows Israel’s recent military actions in Syria, including a significant operation to target and destroy key Syrian military assets, such as chemical weapons sites, missile defense systems, and air defense targets.

Netanyahu's Warning on Syria's New Leadership

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also addressed the situation in Syria, stating that Israel had taken decisive action to eliminate potential threats from the remnants of the Assad regime’s military infrastructure. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel is willing to engage with Syria’s new leaders but will not hesitate to strike if the new government poses a threat to Israel or allows Iran to re-establish its presence in Syria.

This sentiment was echoed by Ahmad al-Sharaa, Syria’s de facto leader, who dismissed Israel’s actions as based on false pretenses, while also stressing that Syria is focused on rebuilding and does not want to engage in new conflicts.

In a related development, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intercepted a drone launched from Yemen over the Mediterranean Sea on Monday, preventing it from reaching Israeli territory. This incident occurred amid heightened tensions with Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have aligned with Iran’s “Axis of Resistance” against Israel and the United States.

Houthi rebels have launched numerous missile and drone attacks at Israel since the outbreak of the Gaza war, with one of their drones hitting a residential building in Yavne, Israel, on December 9, 2024. While there were no casualties, the attack highlighted the ongoing threats posed by the Houthis, who have also harassed shipping routes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The conflict between Israel and the Houthis escalated following attacks by Israel on Houthi targets in Yemen, in retaliation for missile and drone assaults on Israeli territory. As part of its strategic approach, Israel has also aimed to prevent Houthi weaponry from reaching Hamas and other adversaries in the region.

International Diplomacy on Syria and Regional Stability

Israel’s actions in Syria and Yemen come amid ongoing international efforts to assess the evolving situation in the Middle East. Diplomats from Turkey and the United States have met to discuss joint efforts to prevent a resurgence of ISIS in the wake of Assad’s downfall, highlighting the complex regional dynamics.

The shifting power structures in Syria and Yemen continue to create a volatile security environment, with Israel taking proactive measures to ensure its defense in the face of new threats.