Israel Faces Growing Threats to Vital Undersea Data Cables Amid Regional Tensions

As regional conflicts intensify between Israel and Iran, and potentially Turkey, attacks on undersea fiber optic cables have become a growing concern. These cables are critical infrastructure for Israel, which relies heavily on digital data routing through undersea cables for its economy, particularly its high-tech export sector that accounted for approximately $169 billion in exports in 2025, with software and cyber-related services comprising 33%-38% of total exports. The disruption of these cables could severely impact Israel's economic survival.

Recent incidents include damage to major international cables in early 2024, such as the Europe-India Gateway (EIG) and SEACOM, which connects Europe to Africa, causing significant internet disruptions in regions like India, Pakistan, and the Gulf states. While some damage was attributed to accidental causes like ship anchors, Western intelligence suspects intentional sabotage by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The ongoing conflict in the Red Sea complicates repair efforts, prompting the US and Europe to deploy naval forces to secure shipping lanes and communication routes.

In response, Israel has launched a new undersea cable project investing around 500 million shekels to enhance connectivity between Europe and Asia through Israel, aiming for a capacity exceeding 400 terabits per second. The government encourages Israeli tech companies to expand server farms abroad in friendly countries to ensure data redundancy and resilience. Diversifying cable landing points, including through Mediterranean allies like Cyprus and Greece, and establishing a terrestrial cable link through Jordan, Israel's only stable land neighbor, are also strategic priorities.

Modern threats include underwater drones, submarines, and commercial ships dragging anchors that can covertly damage cables. Israel's navy operates six submarines, with more on order, capable of acoustic monitoring and deploying unmanned underwater vehicles to detect and deter sabotage. However, the vast scale of global undersea cables and the complexity of continuous surveillance pose significant challenges. Advanced technologies that turn the cables themselves into acoustic sensors are being considered to provide early warnings.

Given the critical nature of these cables, Israel must implement a robust network architecture allowing instant rerouting of data traffic, maintain high-capacity satellite terminals for emergency use, and collaborate internationally to prevent sabotage. The US remains the central hub of global data communications and technology, underscoring Israel's deep technological ties and the importance of securing these vital digital lifelines amid escalating regional tensions.