October 13, 2026
Behind the scenes of the complex diplomatic communications led by Washington in the region, the Hebrew newspaper “Haaretz” revealed a political slap that Tel Aviv received from Riyadh. Following the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s categorical rejection of an Israeli proposal transmitted through American channels to allow Tel Aviv to intervene militarily in the ongoing conflict with the “Ansar Allah” group (Houthis), aborting an Israeli attempt to employ naval and missile threats to open a loophole towards regional normalization.
Behind the scenes of the American mediation: Bin Salman blocks the way
The Haaretz report revealed details of the arguments behind closed doors:
- Crown Prince Veto: The newspaper quoted a diplomatic source as saying that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman decided to completely reject any Israeli military intervention in Yemen, completely ruling out the idea due to its severe negative repercussions on the street and Saudi and Arab public opinion.
- The Israeli trap: An informed source explained that Tel Aviv tried to exploit the escalating regional tension to build a direct security alliance with Riyadh, in an attempt to “unify efforts and develop relations to prepare the ground for a future normalization agreement.”
- Saudi constants: Riyadh continues to adhere to its principled position rejecting any free normalization, stipulating that a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue and the establishment of an independent state be found before any diplomatic progress.
Political exploitation of Houthi attacks
- Netanyahu messages: The Israeli attempt came in the wake of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s haste to condemn the Houthi attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, and to offer condolences to the victims, coupled with an explicit call for joint “regional cooperation” to confront the threat from the Houthis and Iran.
- Airport targeting belt: The pace of field escalation has witnessed a dangerous jump recently. The targeting of King Khalid Airport resulted in the killing of 13 people and the injury of more than 300 others, in addition to recording 10 attacks that targeted 5 Saudi airports within a few days, leaving 19 dead, hundreds injured, and disrupting air traffic.
