Israeli security officials say Yemen’s Houthi militia is preparing to carry out a mass invasion into Israel, similar to the October 7 attack. Intel info indicates that thousands of fighters are training for potential cross-border raids from Jordan or Syria, Ynet reports.
In parallel, the Houthis steadily upgraded their military arsenal in the past year, the report says. They now field longer-range missiles and more sophisticated attack drones, while shifting much of their weapons production and storage to underground sites.
These steps are designed to make the Houthis more resilient to airstrikes, as Israel widens its campaign against military assets and infrastructure in Yemen.
For Israel’s defense establishment, the Houthi preparations underline a broader danger: Regional militias adopting the October 7 playbook of Hamas.
In response to new invasion scenarios, the IDF has fast-tracked the establishment of a dedicated eastern defense force, the 96th Division, to guard Israel’s long border with Jordan.
The army recruited about 12,000 reservists and installed new defensive measures. More outposts and barriers are currently under construction.
Military planners warn that even a small band of infiltrators could cause significant disruption if they manage to slip across the frontier undetected. The IDF’s goal is not only to prevent such a breach but also to contain it quickly if it occurs.
The Jordanian army is expected to coordinate with Israel in blocking such attempts.
Notably, the Jordan border is Israel’s longest and in parts still poorly secured. While reinforcement projects are underway, defense officials say that it will take years before the entire frontier can be considered reliable.
