Israel seeks Saudi approval to join the war against Yemen's Houthis

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking Saudi Arabia's approval for Jerusalem to join the military campaign against the Houthis in Yemen who have stepped up strikes against the Kingdom in recent days. This comes even as the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) remain embroiled in military operations in Gaza, West Bank and other places, while the proposal has itself met with recalcitrance in Riyadh.

According to a report in the Tel Aviv-based newspaper, Haaretz, citing an unnamed diplomatic source, Netanyahu wanted Israeli forces to participate in strikes targeting the Ansar Allah on the side of the Saudis.

The proposal, which is reportedly being pursued through US mediation, is aimed at improving ties with Saudi Arabia, which is yet to recognise Israel as an independent nation.

The Tel Aviv-based daily, The Jerusalem Post, had



previously reported that Israel and Saudi Arabia held talks mediated by the US Central Command (Centcom) aimed at helping Riyadh defend itself against the Houthi military through intelligence assistance.

However, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who also serves as the kingdom's prime minister, has been reluctant to permit further Israeli military involvement, fearing that cooperation with Israel could trigger a negative reaction among Saudi citizens.

A second source familiar with the matter told Haaretz that Netanyahu's efforts were not just limited to joining the immediate military campaign against the Houthis. Israel hopes that cooperation against a common adversary could strengthen bilateral ties and eventually help secure a diplomatic breakthrough with Riyadh. Saudi authorities had not immediately commented on the report, according to Anadolu Agency.