Mossad Director Dedi Barnea recently advised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to launch an attack on Iran in retaliation for the Houthis’ strike on Israel, arguing that targeting only the Houthis would be ineffective. Barnea’s recommendation reflects high-level discussions within Israel’s security establishment, highlighting growing concerns over Iran’s influence in the region.

Israel’s political and security leaders believe Iran is under pressure from the potential Israeli strike on strategic sites, particularly following the weakening of Iran’s proxies, such as the Houthis. Netanyahu’s recent statement emphasized Israel’s commitment to countering Iran’s terrorist proxies, including the Houthis, and assured that Israel would act with force, determination, and sophistication to eliminate the threat, even if it takes time.

This sentiment was echoed by Benny Gantz, leader of the national camp, who argued that the solution lies in targeting Iran directly, rather than focusing solely on retaliatory actions against the Houthis. Gantz stressed that the time had come to address the root cause of the threat posed by Iran and its regional influence.

As tensions escalate in the region, Israel’s strategic decisions will likely shape the future of its dealings with Iran and its proxies, with both military and political ramifications for the broader Middle East.