The Iran-backed Houthi rebels have pledged to retaliate against the recent joint U.S.-British airstrikes, stating that they will not allow the attacks to go unanswered. This comes as the conflict between Israel and Hamas looms on the brink of a wider and more perilous regional war. Ameen Hayyan, a spokesman for the Houthis, emphasized that the airstrikes will not deter their unwavering support for the Palestinian people in Gaza despite the targeted strikes on 36 rebel sites in Yemen and 85 sites in Syria and Iraq. The airstrikes were initiated in response to continuous attacks on U.S. bases, including a drone strike that resulted in the death of three Americans near the Syrian border. The Houthis were targeted due to their involvement in striking commercial ships in the Red Sea region. This is the third time British and American forces have collectively initiated strikes on the Houthis, who claim their actions are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, which has been under heavy bombardment since the Hamas assault on Israeli border communities began on October 7.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin asserted that the latest U.S.-British response was aimed at degrading the Houthis’ capabilities and putting an end to their reckless and unlawful attacks.
New developments:
∎ The death toll in Palestine has risen to 27,365, with the majority of the casualties being women and children as announced by the Ministry of Health in Gaza on Sunday. Around 66,000 individuals were wounded, while approximately 8,000 people are still unaccounted for, according to the ministry’s statement.
∎ Iran cautioned the U.S. against targeting two cargo ships suspected of being used as an operating base for Iranian commandos. The Behshad and Saviz are registered as commercial ships with a company based in Tehran that the U.S. Treasury has sanctioned for aiding Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.
∎ Wafa, a Palestinian news agency, reported that at least two children were killed in an Israeli attack on a kindergarten in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of using schools and other public spaces as cover and exploiting civilians as human shields.
Trump claims ability to prevent deadly attacks on U.S. bases
Donald Trump, a Republican presidential hopeful, stated that the recent deadly attack by Iran-backed militants on a U.S. base in Jordan, resulting in the deaths of three American soldiers, would not have occurred under his presidency. Trump emphasized his ability to keep Iran in check, recounting an incident during his presidency when the U.S. responded forcefully to an action by Iran. He mentioned that Iran had notified him about a certain location they planned to target, but ultimately refrained from attacking within the specified perimeter, demonstrating a level of respect between the two parties according to Trump. Trump’s remarks appeared to refer to the Iranian strike on an air base in Iraq housing U.S. troops in January 2020, which was in retaliation for the U.S. assassination of an Iranian general. The Pentagon later confirmed that multiple Iranian missiles had hit the base, resulting in traumatic brain injuries for several U.S. soldiers.
The recent lethal drone attack near the Syrian border marked the third assault on the base known as Tower 22 over the past six months. The three U.S. fatalities were the first from enemy fire in the region since the war began nearly three months ago. Iran denied involvement in the attack, asserting that militants in the region do not take orders from Tehran.
Israel conducts raid on outpost where Hamas trained for October 7 attack
An Israeli raid in southern Gaza uncovered the headquarters for the Khan Yunes Brigade, which included the office of Mohammed Sinwar, the brother of Hamas political leader Yahya Sinwar, as stated by the Israeli military. The Alqadsia outpost was utilized to train militants responsible for the prominent October 7 attack on Israeli border communities, resulting in over 1,200 deaths and around 240 hostages, with more than 100 still held captive in Gaza. The outpost contained models simulating the entrance gates of kibbutzim and other raided areas. Militants guarding the outpost were neutralized through sniper fire, tank shell fire, and air force strikes, according to the Israeli military statement.
Hamas considers framework for hostage deal, but gaps remain
Hamas leaders are taking more time to review the proposed framework for a ceasefire, indicating that no deal has been reached yet, according to a senior Hamas official. Osama Hamdan stated that Hamas is evaluating the framework put forth by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. However, Hamdan reiterated that their demands, including the withdrawal of the Israeli military from Gaza, lifting the blockade on the enclave, reconstruction of the war-damaged cities and towns, provision of humanitarian aid, a prisoner-for-hostage exchange, and the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, have not been retracted. Several of these demands have been consistently rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Hamdan credited Egypt and Qatar for their mediation efforts, but blamed Israel’s “obstinacy” for the apparent failure to reach an agreement.
Israeli national security chief criticizes Biden’s impact on war effort
Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who leads a far-right political party essential to Netanyahu’s ruling coalition, has criticized the Biden administration for hindering Israel’s war effort. Ben-Gvir has repeatedly admonished Netanyahu for being too willing to negotiate with Hamas to secure the release of more than 100 hostages. He also expressed dissatisfaction with President Joe Biden, despite Biden’s staunch support for Israel in the face of global criticism over the extensive destruction and loss of life resulting from Israel’s invasion. Ben-Gvir asserted that instead of providing full backing, Biden has been preoccupied with delivering humanitarian aid and fuel to Gaza, which ultimately benefits Hamas. He claimed that if Trump were in power, the U.S. approach would be entirely different.
Iran condemns U.S.-British airstrikes
Iran condemned the joint U.S.-British airstrikes, which were supported by Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, characterizing them as a breach of Yemen’s territorial integrity and international law. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani urged the global community to hold the participating nations accountable. Kanaani criticized the military strikes as a continuation of the misguided approach and policy of militarism adopted by the U.S. and Britain to advance their unlawful objectives in the region. This stands in stark contrast to Washington and London’s repeated claims of seeking to prevent the spread of war and conflict in the region.
Contributing: The Associated Press
