Houthi fighters have rehearsed attacks on Israeli communities and hostage-taking, raising fears of an October 7-style assault as the IDF strengthens defenses around Eilat.
By Hezy Laing
Armed Houthi fighters storm an Israeli community, seize hostages and attack military positions. The scenes resemble the October 7 Hamas massacre, but they are taking place in Yemen, where the Iranian-backed Houthis have been rehearsing attacks on Israeli targets.
The Houthis have already demonstrated their ability to strike Israel with missiles and drones. Now, Israeli security planners are also preparing for a different threat: terrorists attempting to infiltrate the country by land or sea.
In January 2024, the Houthis released footage showing fighters raiding a mock Israeli community, entering structures marked with Stars of David and taking people dressed as civilians hostage.
Other exercises simulated assaults on Israeli military bases, the capture of soldiers and attacks on command centers. Houthi fighters also practiced attacking a mockup of Dimona, the southern Israeli city associated with Israel’s nuclear facilities.
The exercises demonstrate the group’s interest in attacking Israeli targets. But whether the Houthis could actually reach Israel with an organized assault force is another question.
How could the Houthis reach Israel?
The greatest obstacle is geography. Yemen lies approximately 1,800 kilometers from Israel, with several countries separating the two.
A ground attack would require Houthi fighters to cross foreign territory, potentially with assistance from Iranian-backed militias operating in Iraq and Syria.
Israel’s long eastern border with Jordan is one possible route of concern. The IDF has been strengthening defenses along that frontier, including establishing the 96th Division, known as Gilead, to help protect the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea region.
Another possibility is an attack from the Red Sea.
The Houthis have repeatedly attacked commercial shipping and demonstrated their ability to operate explosive boats. However, transporting armed fighters across the sea and landing them on Israeli territory would require capabilities far beyond those needed to attack a passing ship.
A large-scale invasion remains extremely difficult. A smaller infiltration attempt, particularly one involving regional allies, presents a different security challenge.
Could Eilat face an October 7-style attack?
In June 2026, Israeli media reported that Shin Bet chief David Zini had raised concerns during closed security discussions about a possible coordinated assault on Eilat involving several terrorist groups.
The scenario reportedly included attackers approaching through Jordan or arriving by sea.
The Shin Bet subsequently clarified that there was no concrete intelligence or specific warning of an imminent attack. The discussions were part of broader assessments of possible security threats.
Nevertheless, Eilat presents unusual defensive challenges.
Located at Israel’s southern tip, the city borders both Egypt and Jordan and sits on the Red Sea. An attack could potentially involve several approaches simultaneously, forcing Israeli forces to respond on multiple fronts.
IDF rehearses defense of Eilat
On September 9, 2026, the IDF announced the completion of a major defensive exercise around Eilat and the Arava, involving the 80th Division, Air Force and Navy.
The exercise simulated dozens of emergencies, including maritime infiltrations, hostage-taking, rocket attacks and mass-casualty incidents.
Troops practiced responding to terrorists entering military bases and civilian locations, including hotels, schools and beaches.
In one scenario, the 96th Division was activated without advance warning to respond to a simulated infiltration from the eastern border toward the Dead Sea.
The drills tested how quickly Israeli forces could mobilize, coordinate across military branches and prevent an initial infiltration from developing into a larger attack.
The exercise was part of the IDF’s scheduled defensive-readiness program, rather than a response to a specific Houthi attack warning.
A threat beyond missiles and drones
The Houthi threat extends beyond Israel’s borders. The group’s attacks on international shipping have disrupted Red Sea commerce, while its ties to Iran and other regional armed groups raise concerns about coordinated attacks.
Israeli and American military coordination, including cooperation with US Central Command, is an important part of preparing for regional threats.
For now, there is no confirmed intelligence indicating that a Houthi invasion of Israel is imminent.
But the distinction between a full-scale invasion and a smaller terrorist infiltration is critical. The Houthis may lack the ability to send an army into Israel, yet a limited attack involving trained fighters and regional allies would pose a different challenge.
The lesson of October 7 is central to Israel’s preparations: even a relatively small force can inflict devastating damage if it achieves surprise.
The IDF’s exercises around Eilat are intended to ensure that any such attempt is detected and stopped before terrorists reach Israeli communities.
