Yitzchak Horowitz, a Haredi journalist for BeKehila magazine, was arrested in Kuwait on suspicion of espionage after photographing American patrol ships along the coast. He had arrived in the country due to flight disruptions caused by the war and was initially suspected of being Iranian.

Suspicion intensified when police discovered tefillin in his belongings, reportedly mistaking the Jewish religious item for a communications device. During a lengthy interrogation, Horowitz was questioned about his religious identity, possible ties to Israel, and military background. He said the atmosphere grew hostile once authorities realized he was Jewish, and officers showed him images of regional bombings while accusing Israel of responsibility.

After several hours of questioning by police and intelligence officials, Horowitz was released without charges. Following his release, a Kuwaiti government official told him that attitudes toward Israel may be shifting and suggested that future normalization of relations between Kuwait and Israel was possible after the war.