Israel Urges US to Resume Strikes, Form Coalition Against Yemen Houthis

Israel is urging the United States to resume military strikes against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels and to form a multinational coalition to counter their escalating attacks on global shipping, particularly in the Red Sea. The Houthis have intensified assaults on maritime routes since November 2023, targeting Israeli and international vessels in solidarity with Hamas, with recent attacks including deadly seizures of two ships. Israel conveyed to the U.S. during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Washington visit that these attacks can no longer be seen as solely an Israeli problem and pushed for more intense combined operations involving the U.S. and other countries. The U.S. had paused its aerial campaign against the Houthis in May 2025 following a Washington-Houthi agreement, but recent attacks and Israel’s pressure have prompted talks of resuming strikes. The U.S. State Department has indicated it may restart bombing campaigns to protect freedom of navigation and commercial shipping after attacks on Greek-owned vessels. Israel’s push for a broad coalition reflects its frustration with the U.S. pause in military action and a strategic move to deepen American involvement in regional conflicts amid ongoing Gaza ceasefire pressures.