Sunday, September 8, 2024
Intense airstrikes hit Yemen and Gaza amid escalating violence and ongoing cease-fire negotiations.
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza— Intense airstrikes hit the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah on Saturday, with reports from Houthi-controlled Al-Masirah TV alleging Israeli involvement. The strikes targeted oil and diesel storage facilities, causing significant damage and fires, but details on casualties remain unclear. The Israeli military has not commented on the claims.
Earlier, Houthi rebels launched a drone attack on Tel Aviv, killing one and wounding at least 10 near the U.S. Embassy. This attack follows ongoing U.S. and British strikes against Houthi targets in response to their assaults on commercial shipping. Despite these efforts, the Iran-backed Houthis remain resilient.
In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes on refugee camps resulted in at least 13 deaths overnight, including three children and one woman. The strikes in Nuseirat and Bureij camps coincided with progress in cease-fire talks in Cairo. A baby was delivered from a deceased woman following an airstrike in Nuseirat and is currently stable but facing medical challenges.
The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, ignited by Hamas' attack on October 7, has led to over 38,900 deaths, creating a dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The conflict has displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents and triggered severe shortages of food and basic supplies.
In the West Bank, violence continues with the recent killing of a 20-year-old man by Israeli forces in Beit Ummar, who was reportedly not involved in clashes but was shot in the head. Hamas identified him as a member during his funeral.
International mediators, including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, are striving for a phased cease-fire deal to halt the fighting and secure the release of approximately 120 hostages held by Hamas. Despite progress in negotiations, reaching a final agreement remains challenging.