Shea Levin — text status

Saudi Arabia will not soften its conditions for normalization with Israel in exchange for Israeli intelligence assistance against the Houthis, with a Saudi official insisting that progress on the Palestinian issue remains a prerequisite for any agreement with Jerusalem, Kan News’ Roi Kais reports. The comments come as Israel has reportedly begun providing Riyadh with intelligence on the Houthis through the U.S., after Saudi Arabia requested American assistance. The Houthis have meanwhile captured the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait and Perim Island as they continue making territorial gains in Yemen.