Netanyahu Reportedly Seeks Saudi Approval to Join Fight Against Houthis

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking Saudi Arabia’s approval, through U.S. mediation, for Israel to join the campaign against Yemen’s Houthis, according to an unnamed diplomatic source. The source said Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman opposes Israeli military participation because he anticipates backlash among the Saudi public. The source also linked the proposed military involvement to efforts to strengthen Israel’s ties with Riyadh and advance future normalization between the two countries. Saudi authorization and any Israeli military deployment remain unconfirmed.