Amid escalating tensions between Israel and the Houthi group in Yemen, Israeli intelligence announced the formation of two new units to confront the growing military capabilities of the Houthis, especially following recent missile attacks on the Israeli city of Eilat that caused dozens of casualties.

The Israeli army announced it intercepted a missile launched by the Houthis from Yemen towards central Israel, activating air defenses. Israeli security agencies have noted significant advances in Houthi military capabilities, particularly in self-manufacturing drones and long-range missiles, aided by Iranian knowledge and local engineers, and using underground tunnels for production and storage.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz threatened multiple times to kill Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi, warning that Israel will not allow the Houthis to possess thousands of precision missiles that pose an existential threat.

Houthi attacks have been ongoing since 2023, targeting ships they claim are linked to or heading towards Israel, with attacks linked to Gaza support. The most recent was the operation targeting Eilat, which caused widespread fear among Israelis who rushed to shelters.

The Houthis also launched drone attacks on several Israeli cities in early September, in retaliation for Israeli assassinations of key Houthi leaders in Sanaa. This led Israel to close the airspace over Ramon Airport and raise its alert level to maximum.

Despite assassinating several Houthi leaders, Israel remains anxious, prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to move the last cabinet meeting to a more fortified location and increase military readiness in anticipation of further Houthi actions.