The Israeli army has begun studying the scope of the military implications for Israel in the event of reaching a normalization agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The study will consider the potential consequences of the deal, including partnership and cooperation options, along with the risks involved for Israel's security, according to the "Walla" news site on Sunday.

This work is being carried out by a group of branches of the Israeli army, including intelligence, strategic planning, the Iran division, the air force, and others. It will also look into the various types of nuclear programs that Saudi Arabia might establish.

The results will be presented to Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and then to Minister of Defense Yoav Galant, before being submitted to the cabinet, as the news report indicated, noting that there is currently no timeline for the study.

These preparations come at a time when the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden is actively working to engage Riyadh and Tel Aviv in an attempt to mediate a normalization agreement between the two countries. As part of this framework, Saudi Arabia is also requesting the United States to enter into a major mutual defense agreement and large arms deals, as well as Israeli concessions to the Palestinians.
Reports indicate that Saudi Arabia has requested the United States to give the green light for developing a civilian nuclear program as part of the conditions for normalizing relations with Israel. It is also believed that the Saudis seek access to advanced American defense technology.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Friday that a "basic framework" for the agreement has been reached, but he emphasized that the "complex" arrangement will require "compromise" from all parties.

Speaking last month at the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel is "on the verge" of a historic deal with Saudi Arabia.

These comments came just days after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of the kingdom, told Fox News that "every day we are getting closer" to normalizing his country's relations with Israel, clarifying that the Palestinian issue remains "very much" a part of the process and declaring that Saudi Arabia will need to acquire nuclear weapons if Iran does so.

The talks have already led to a shift in relations.

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi is set to become the second minister to publicly visit Saudi Arabia when he leads an Israeli delegation to the extraordinary congress of the Universal Postal Union in 2023 on Monday.

Karhi is scheduled to speak at the event, which lasts until Thursday, less than a week after Tourism Minister Haim Katz visited the kingdom to attend a UN conference.

Earlier in September, an Israeli delegation of nine officials traveled to Saudi Arabia as observers for a UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting. The delegation was headed by the Director of the Israeli Antiquities Authority and included diplomats, according to an Israeli official.