Israel explained the strengthening of the military presence in the Red Sea
The Israeli navy was forced to build up its capabilities in the Red Sea region. This was stated by the former commander of the Israeli Navy, Vice Admiral Eli Sharvit.
At the same time, Israel explained their actions. It is indicated that this happened in connection with the growing threats from Iran.
Although the vice admiral did not confirm Israel's involvement in a series of attacks on Iranian ships, which the Arab press attributes to the Israelis, in general he described Iran's activities on the high seas as one of Israel's main problems. The Israeli navy, according to the vice admiral, should be able to strike wherever necessary to protect national economic interests.
The Israeli Navy currently has a clear advantage over fleets all neighboring states are potential adversaries, but this does not mean that it is free from threats. For example, the Lebanese group Hezbollah has an arsenal of surface-to-sea missiles and can conduct attacks against Israeli ships. The Palestinian group Hamas also created its own small naval sabotage detachment. But most of all in Israel they fear provocations from Iran. In turn, Tehran accuses the Israeli military of provocations.
One of the most important tasks of the Israeli Navy at the present time is to ensure effective protection of the country's gas platforms in the Mediterranean Sea, which allow receiving up to 75% of the country's energy. Moreover, the anti-Israeli groups, as noted in Tel Aviv, have never concealed their intentions to attack these platforms in the event of hostilities. In 2006, Hezbollah struck an Israeli warship, killing four sailors.
Israel claims that both Hezbollah and Hamas are improving their combat capabilities. For example, not so long ago the Israelis managed to intercept an underwater drone launched by Hamas. Such devices can pose a significant threat to both shipping and coastal infrastructure. At the same time, the Red Sea remains an even more vulnerable area than the Mediterranean coast of Israel.
First, almost all of Israel's imports go by sea, and the Red Sea plays a key economic role for the country. Iran is believed to be trying to influence the Israeli economy by attacking ships and vessels sailing through the Red Sea. At the same time, for an attack it is not necessary to use the Iranian forces proper, you can act with the hands of the same Hezbollah or the Yemeni Houthi rebels.
Secondly, Iranian warships have access to the Red Sea through Yemen, which, again, Israel believes, directly threatens Israeli shipping and forces the Israeli military to maintain impressive naval forces in the Red Sea, including missile ships. At the same time, Yoel Guzansky, a senior researcher and expert on Iran at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, believes that the Israeli fleet is still not large enough to rely on in the confrontation with Iran. True, this also does not negate the need for the country to strengthen its maritime security in the region.
Information