Alarm over potential Eilat attack met with skepticism, though not toward Houthi threat

Israeli security officials are reportedly concerned about the possibility of a large-scale attack on the southern resort city of Eilat, with Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels identified as a potential threat. Shin Bet chief David Zini is cited in a Haaretz report warning that Eilat could face an incursion similar to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Zini reportedly directed senior officials to prioritize defenses against a coordinated land and sea assault involving the Houthis. The Houthis, whose slogan includes calls for "Death to America, Death to Israel," are based approximately 1,800 kilometers from Israel. While they have previously launched missiles and drones at Eilat and disrupted Red Sea shipping, they have never attempted direct incursions into Israeli territory. Analysts suggest that despite the distance, the Houthis have the motivation to carry out such attacks. Eilat's strategic location on the Red Sea makes it a vulnerable entry point, particularly given its relative isolation from major Israeli military ground formations. Reinforcements would likely face travel delays through the Negev desert. The area is defended by the Israeli Air Force's Ovda Airbase and the Israeli Navy's Eilat Naval Base, providing significant air and maritime capabilities.

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Death to America, Death to Israel, [and] a Curse on the Jews