The United States initiated, new attacks against Yemen’s Houthis.
The United States launched fresh strikes against Yemen’s Houthis Thursday, and President Joe Biden signaled they would keep going until the Iranian-backed militants stop targeting ships in the Red Sea. Meanwhile tensions flared in the wider region following Pakistani strikes in Iran and new US military action targeting Iran-backed militants.
The latest US attacks hit two anti-ship missiles that the Houthis — who say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza — were preparing to fire into the busy shipping corridor, the US military said.
US forces have launched several rounds of air strikes against the Houthis, since an initial barrage by the United States and Britain last Friday, adding to tensions in the Middle East.
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Israel intensified its operations in South Gaza
The Israeli army said troops reached the southernmost point of their ground invasion of Gaza so far on Thursday as they intensified operations across the south of the Palestinian territory.
In Khan Younes, southern Gaza’s main city, the army said its Givati Brigade was “fighting in the southernmost area that ground troops have operated in so far”.
“The soldiers eliminated dozens of terrorists in close-quarters combat and with the assistance of tank fire and air support,” it said.
Gaza’s Hamas authorities reported 93 deaths overnight, including 16 in a strike on a house in the southern city of Rafah, where many people have fled.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has said the army is hitting Khan Younes particularly hard to dismantle the Hamas leadership, which the military says has already been achieved in northern Gaza.
Concerns over Escalation
The United States urged Pakistan and Iran Thursday to avoid escalating tensions after the two countries exchanged air strikes, as President Joe Biden said the clash showed Iran was not “well-liked” in the region.
Tensions between nuclear-armed Islamabad, a US ally, and Washington’s foe Tehran have soared after Iran struck alleged militant targets in Pakistan and Pakistan responded in kind.
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West Bank Violence Surges
In the West Bank, violence has escalated to a level not seen since the second Palestinian intifada, or uprising, of 2000-2005.
Israeli troops and settlers have killed more than 360 Palestinians in the West Bank since October 7, according to the territory’s health ministry.
Palestinian health officials reported a sixth death in a two-day Israeli operation in the northern city of Tulkarem and its refugee camp.
The man shot dead in the camp was a civilian not involved in fighting between Israeli forces and militants, local official Rami Elyan told AFP.
The Israeli army said troops had killed “at least eight terrorists” in Tulkarem and returned fire while they were working to “uncover roads where explosive devices were planted”.
EU Sanctions Hamas
The European Union will adopt sanctions next Monday against Hamas in response to the Palestinian group’s deadly October 7 attack on Israel, France said Thursday.
Brussels will adopt “a regime of sanctions against Hamas,” French foreign ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine told reporters, adding that they would target “individuals and transfers of funds.”
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Human Toll
About 1,140 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
At least 24,620 Palestinians, around 70 percent of them women, children and adolescents, have been killed by Israeli bombardment according to Gaza Health Ministry figures.
Khalil Wakim, with AFP
