Israeli soldiers load shells onto a tank at a staging area in southern Israel, near the border with Gaza, on December 31. (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP)
(WitWave) - In a concerning development, Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have intensified their attacks in the Red Sea, citing revenge against Israel for its military campaign in Gaza. The rising tensions raise fears that the conflict between Israel and Hamas could escalate into a broader regional war.
On Sunday, the United States took decisive action by sinking three Houthi boats and eliminating those aboard after coming under fire. This marks the first instance since the outbreak of tensions earlier this year that the US has taken lethal action against members of the rebel group. The US clarified that it has no intention of entering a wider war but emphasized its commitment to acting in self-defence. The incident occurred when US helicopters responded to a distress call from a merchant ship, which the Houthis had targeted and attempted to board. The rebels then turned their weapons on the US aircraft, according to US Central Command.
Here are other notable headlines from the region:
Genocide Allegations: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected South Africa's claim of genocide in its war against Hamas. South Africa applied with the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of committing genocide. Netanyahu labelled the claims as "false" and accused South Africa of overlooking other global conflicts.
Netanyahu's Resignation: Despite criticism for failing to anticipate the October 7 attacks by Hamas, Prime Minister Netanyahu announced on Sunday that he would not resign from office. Criticism against him has grown as Israel's conflict in Gaza continues, and Hamas retains hostages.
Shots Fired Near Aid Convoy: The Israel Defense Forces confirmed firing shots near a UN convoy, with the IDF attributing the incident to a miscommunication. The UN Relief and Works Agency reported earlier that Israeli soldiers had fired at its convoy travelling along an army-designated route. No injuries occurred, but a vehicle was damaged.
Palestinian Leader Condemns Displacement: On the 59th anniversary of the Fatah party's founding, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas stated that the Palestinian people will not accept displacement from their land. This comes as Israel conducts a ground offensive in Gaza, leading to hundreds of thousands of internal displacements.
Palestinians Struggle for Essentials: Internally displaced Palestinians in Gaza described cramped living conditions, soaring food prices, child hunger, and inadequate sanitation. Despite being the most densely populated part of Gaza, Rafah in the south has seen tens of thousands seeking refuge.
The situation remains highly volatile, with international concern growing over the potential for a wider regional conflict. The US actions against Houthi rebels add a new dimension to the complex dynamics in the Middle East.
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