IDF Recommends Against Preemptive Strikes on Houthis

The Israeli military has advised the political echelon to avoid preemptive strikes against the Houthis in Yemen and refrain from actions that would place Israel at the forefront of the military conflict with them. Instead, the IDF recommends focusing on diplomatic efforts to build an international and regional coalition.

These recommendations emerged from closed-door discussions held in recent days, reportedly prompted by the Houthi takeover of the city of Mocha and other strategic points in the Bab el-Mandeb strait. Senior military officials suggested that the current focus should be on diplomatic initiatives.

Meanwhile, shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has significantly decreased since the beginning of the week due to escalating regional tensions. On Monday, only four cargo vessels transited the strait, compared to ten the previous day, according to preliminary data from Kpler. Two oil tankers entered the strait, both without cargo, while two dry bulk carriers exited, one loaded and one empty. These figures do not account for vessels that may have turned off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders to avoid detection.

An Iranian news agency reported yesterday, citing the Revolutionary Guards, that an oil tanker exploded and caught fire after hitting mines in the Strait of Hormuz, though the timing of the incident was not specified. Additionally, Gulf Arab nations postponed planned talks with Iran concerning potential agreements on the Strait of Hormuz, a setback for diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict and its impact on global oil supplies.

The Houthis in Yemen claimed yesterday to have launched dozens of missiles and drones at a military base in Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia, hitting aircraft hangars, radar systems, runways, and ammunition depots in retaliation for Saudi strikes in Yemen. In the Bab el-Mandeb strait, 21 cargo vessels passed on Monday, down from 28 the previous day, according to Kpler data. Before the conflict began on February 28, approximately 125 large commercial vessels, including tankers, gas carriers, bulk carriers, and container ships, typically passed through the Strait of Hormuz daily. About 20% of the world's daily crude oil and liquefied natural gas supply transits this waterway.