Israel intensifies its military campaign in Gaza, while Houthi militants in Yemen pledge to continue attacks in the Red Sea, defying a U.S.-led naval mission.
By yourNEWS Media Staff
CAIRO/GAZA – Israel’s ongoing military operation in the Gaza Strip has led to widespread destruction and a significant rise in casualties. Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi movement has declared its intention to continue targeting Israeli interests in the Red Sea, despite a U.S.-led naval effort to safeguard maritime activities in the region.
The Israeli campaign, aimed at eliminating Hamas militants responsible for an Oct. 7 massacre, has resulted in nearly 20,000 deaths in Gaza, as reported by the Palestinian enclave’s health ministry. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the operation will continue until all hostages are freed and Hamas is completely dismantled.
This conflict extends to the Red Sea, where Iran-aligned Houthi forces have been attacking vessels with missiles and drones. The Houthis have announced their determination to persist with these attacks, possibly at a frequency of once every 12 hours, targeting only Israeli or Israel-bound ships.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has announced a multinational naval operation in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to counter these threats. However, maritime security remains a concern, with reports of an attempted boarding near Yemen’s Aden city and some shippers rerouting around Africa.
In Gaza, recent Israeli missile strikes have hit Rafah, causing numerous casualties and leaving many residents to search through rubble. The death toll includes Palestinian journalist Adel Zurub and several members of his family, raising the number of journalists killed to 97.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has reported that over 60% of Gaza’s infrastructure is either destroyed or damaged, with more than 90% of the population displaced. Israeli forces continue to face resistance from Hamas fighters, particularly in areas like Khan Younis, where guerrilla-style warfare is prevalent.
The Gaza health ministry has documented 19,667 Palestinian deaths and 52,586 injuries since Oct. 7. Concerns are mounting over the dire situation in hospitals, which are overwhelmed and lack essential supplies. The U.N. has voiced alarm at the plight of child amputees killed in hospital attacks, and human rights chief Volker Turk has reiterated calls for a ceasefire and a move towards a two-state solution.
Despite sustained Israeli attacks, Hamas claims it still managed to launch rockets towards Tel Aviv on Tuesday, triggering air raid sirens in Israel’s commercial hub.