Israeli Media: Iran and Yemen Are Netanyahu's Two Options for Responding to the Houthis

Israeli media reports that in response to the recent missile attacks by Houthi rebels supported by the Islamic Republic, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is faced with two proposed options. On one hand, David Barnea, head of Israel's foreign intelligence agency Mossad, has recommended that Israel should directly strike targets within Iran in response to the Houthi missile that hit a playground in Tel Aviv. This news was reported by the 'Jewish News Syndicate' citing a report published on Sunday on the Israeli news website 'Ynet'. According to the report, officials familiar with high-level meetings in Israel have said that David Barnea emphasized that 'the head of the snake, meaning Iran, must be attacked.' Meanwhile, 'The Jerusalem Post' reported that Israeli military intelligence has advised that Israel's response should be a direct attack on the Houthis in Yemen. The Jerusalem Post explains the difference between the two views of Mossad and military intelligence, stating that Barnea has always been one of the prominent hardliners regarding Iran during his tenure at Mossad and usually supports more and harsher attacks on the Islamic Republic. In contrast, Israeli military intelligence takes a more cautious approach regarding direct attacks on the Islamic Republic due to the potential serious consequences. According to this report, Mossad examines the Islamic Republic of Iran more from a broader strategic perspective and emphasizes the need to weaken its long-term threats, whether in the form of its nuclear program, conventional weapons, or terrorist activities worldwide. In contrast, the Israeli military, which is not only responsible for Israel's offensive actions but also has the duty of air defense, considers the consequences of an attack. This means that if a major attack occurs by the Islamic Republic against Israel, the military will be under pressure due to failure to prevent damages, such as the Houthi attack on Saturday, which its missile could not intercept in the air. The Jerusalem Post states that it seems between these two options, Netanyahu is likely closer to the view of military intelligence and intends to postpone the option of a direct attack on the Islamic Republic for another time, keeping it reserved for the future; an option that will likely be delayed until after Donald Trump comes to power. In recent days, following the Houthi attacks, Netanyahu has promised Israelis that this Iranian-backed rebel group in Yemen will face a serious response. Reports of a potential direct attack by Israel inside Iran come at a time when Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, claimed on Sunday, in an action that likely indicates the Islamic Republic's concern about a possible Israeli attack, that the Islamic Republic has no proxy forces in the region, a claim that was made during the tenure of Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Iran's foreign minister, and has been repeatedly rejected by experts and foreign governments.