Israel has increased naval readiness after Yemen’s Houthi group expanded its presence along the Red Sea coast and strengthened its position near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, according to Yedioth Ahronoth. The withdrawal of Yemeni government forces from Perim, also known as Mayyun Island, has heightened Israeli assessments that the Houthis can influence maritime traffic through the waterway, which narrows to about 18 kilometers (11 miles) at some points. Israeli officials fear attacks using missiles and explosive-laden boats could threaten commercial shipping. Vice Adm. Eyal Harel ordered higher readiness among naval forces and command-and-control centers, with additional forces deployed at sea. Israel also worries that Houthi control near Bab el-Mandeb, combined with Iranian influence around the Strait of Hormuz, could increase Tehran’s leverage over regional maritime routes. The concerns come as around 98% of Israel’s imports arrive by sea. Yemen experienced a relative lull from April 2022 after nearly 12 years of war, but Houthi attacks on Israel and Red Sea shipping since late 2023 have renewed fears of a return to full-scale conflict.