Mossad Chief Advocates for Strikes Against Iran as Israel Prepares for Escalation of Houthi Conflict

Israel's Mossad chief, David Barnea, has reportedly urged the Israeli leadership to focus on attacking Iran rather than solely targeting the Houthi rebels in Yemen, according to recent reports. Barnea believes that striking Iran, which funds and arms the Houthis, would be a more effective strategy to curb attacks from the Iranian-backed group. This stance marks a sharp contrast to the positions held by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, who are inclined to continue direct strikes against the Houthis themselves.

Barnea's suggestion comes after multiple rounds of strikes on the Houthis, with little significant result. The Mossad chief has argued that without addressing Iran directly, the Houthis may continue their aggressive actions. "We need to go head-on against Iran," Barnea reportedly told security officials, stressing that merely attacking the Houthis might not suffice to halt their advances.

Despite Barnea's stance, Netanyahu disagreed, considering Iran a separate issue to be handled "at the appropriate time," according to sources. Senior Israeli officials echoed this view, and Netanyahu, during a Hanukkah ceremony, vowed that the Houthis would face the same consequences as other adversaries like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Assad regime.

Amid these discussions, Israeli Air Force Chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar confirmed that the Israeli Air Force would continue and escalate attacks against Houthi targets, as necessary. In the past 10 days, the Houthis launched several missile and drone strikes at Israel, reportedly in support of Gaza. Despite Israel's retaliatory actions, such as airstrikes on Houthi positions, the group continues to target Israel, including a recent missile that caused minor injuries in Jaffa.

While Israel intensifies its operations, discussions are ongoing with the United States to increase pressure on the Houthis, particularly under the administration of President-elect Donald Trump. Sources suggest that the Houthis will face a heavier price soon, with joint Israeli-US actions planned to contain their activities.

The Houthis, supported by Iran, have proven to be a tough challenge for Israel, launching over 200 missiles and 170 drones at Israel in the past year. Their attacks have not only targeted Israel but also disrupted global shipping in the Red Sea, highlighting the broader impact of the group's actions.

As Israel continues its operations against the Houthis, the broader question remains whether targeting Iran will ultimately be a more effective approach to stopping the ongoing attacks.