Israel stepping up attacks on Houthis, but awaiting Trump for real fireworks — report

Israel is mulling carrying out attacks deep inside Yemen and targeting Houthi leaders as it looks to deliver an actual significant blow to the Iran-backed group, though there is little hope in Jerusalem any such attack will actually halt missile and drone attacks that have targeted Israel with increasing frequency in recent days, the Ynet news site reports.

Israeli officials have discussed plans to escalate strikes with their US counterparts, who are on board, according to the report.

However, the news site quotes sources saying that Israel will only be able to intensify attacks to a level where they can beat back the Houthis once US President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20.

“The Houthis will pay a heavy price, there will be a ratcheting up of Israeli attacks,” an unnamed source is quoted as saying. “But it’s nothing compared to what will happen once Trump enters office. The Americans are planning to impose an embargo on them and sanctions.”

According to the report, Israel sees the Houthis as a “hard nut to crack.” Unlike other Iran-backed Shiite groups, which have largely been cowed by Israel’s campaigns against them, the Houthis are high on the hog thanks to their success in imposing themselves as a major player in world affairs, according to an Israeli assessment cited by Ynet.