Israeli media reports suggest that Mossad Director David Barnea has proposed attacking Iran to prevent further strikes on Israel by the Houthi movement, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes the idea.

Barnea’s proposal to directly strike Iran emerged during leadership discussions on why recent retaliatory airstrikes against Houthi forces in Yemen have failed to yield results, according to Haaretz, one of Israel’s most reputable newspapers, citing anonymous sources on December 25.

Sources from Haaretz and other Israeli outlets state that Barnea argued for targeting Iran directly, as it provides financial and military backing to the Houthi armed group in Yemen.

“We need to confront Iran head-on. Striking only the Houthis will not stop them,” Channel 13 quoted the Mossad chief as telling Israeli security officials. However, Prime Minister Netanyahu disagreed, reportedly stating that Iran “is a separate issue to be addressed at the appropriate time.” His stance was supported by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and other senior members of Israel’s security forces, according to Channel 13 and The Times of Israel.

Neither Barnea nor Netanyahu has commented on the reports.

In the past ten days, the Houthis have launched five ballistic missiles and at least five suicide drones targeting Israel, claiming their actions are in support of their ally Hamas in Gaza.

On December 21, Israel’s air defense systems failed to intercept a Houthi-launched Palestinian-2 ballistic missile, which struck a residential area in Tel Aviv, injuring 16 people.

On December 25, Netanyahu declared that the Houthi movement would share the fate of other adversaries in the Middle East. “The Houthis will understand the lesson that Hamas, Hezbollah, and Assad’s regime have already learned. Though it takes time, the entire Middle East will internalize this lesson,” he warned.

Hamas and Hezbollah are part of the Iran-backed “Axis of Resistance” in the Middle East, which opposes Israel and Western influence.

Israel has conducted three airstrikes against Houthi forces in Yemen recently, threatening continued bombardment. However, these efforts have not stopped the group from attacking Israeli territory. Analysts point out that Yemen’s geographic distance from Israel presents challenges for Tel Aviv in countering the Houthis, though U.S. and Western support could mitigate these difficulties.

Anonymous sources indicate that Israeli officials have discussed plans to escalate strikes against the Houthis with the U.S., receiving Washington’s backing. However, they suggest that Israel may intensify its campaign only after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump assumes office on January 20, 2025.

(Sources: The Times of Israel, Channel 13, Haaretz)