War in the Middle East
After Houthi attacks in the Red Sea: USA forms alliance to protect ships
In November, Yemen’s Houthi rebels captured a ship in the Red Sea. This photo was published by the group itself.
© Houthi Media Center via AP / Picture Alliance
The Gaza war is becoming increasingly widespread. A new military alliance aims to fend off attacks on ships by Houthi rebels. Meanwhile, the situation on Israel’s border with Lebanon is getting worse. The overview.
Against the backdrop of the Gaza war and increasing attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea, Israel is forging allies USA a military security alliance for the region with European and other partners. “Operation Prosperity Guardian” is intended to better protect merchant ships from attacks by Houthi rebels supported by Israel’s arch-enemy Iran, the US Department of Defense said. According to Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, Germany is considering a request to participate.
Meanwhile, Israel continues the war against Hamas in Gaza, while the situation on its border with Lebanon is also worsening.
Houthi rebels attack ships again
According to the US military, there were renewed attacks by Houthi rebels on two ships in the southern Red Sea. The tanker “Swan Atlantic” was attacked on Monday by a drone and a missile that was fired from an area controlled by the Houthis in Yemen. The freighter “M/V Clara” reported an explosion in the water near it. No injuries were reported in any of the incidents.
The Houthi rebels in Yemen have been attacking Israel with drones and missiles since the Gaza war broke out and attacking ships in the Red Sea to prevent them from passing through to Israel. A container freighter belonging to the German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd was also attacked. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who is currently in the region, said it was an international challenge that required joint action.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he believes the Gaza war is also a war of the United States because it leads the civilized world. It is also a fight against the Iranian axis of terror, which is now threatening to close the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. This threatens freedom of navigation. Netanyahu also reiterated his country’s determination to achieve a “complete victory against Hamas” in Gaza.
Gaza Strip
Behind a dune, at the border crossing, begins a tunnel large enough for cars
Israel accuses Hezbollah of “steady escalation.”
However, Israel is not only fighting in the Gaza Strip; there are also repeated confrontations on its northern borders. The situation in the border area with Lebanon is getting worse. Israel’s military warned the Hezbollah militia there against intensifying fighting. “We are closer to war today than yesterday,” military spokesman Jonathan Conricus said on Monday, accusing Hezbollah of a “steady, systematic escalation along the border.”
The Shiite militia, which is closely linked to Iran, is “engaging Lebanon in a dangerous war.” A diplomatic solution is being sought. If this is not achieved, the Israeli military is ready to “use its capabilities so that Israeli civilians in the border area can return to their homes.” According to information, around 80,000 Israeli civilians have been evacuated in recent months due to the fighting in the north. According to the military, Israel was also again fired at with rockets from Syria. In response, Israel attacked positions in Syria.
USA is working on the release of hostages – Hamas releases new hostage video
Meanwhile, the US government says it is working on a new agreement to release the hostages held by the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip. “But I can’t say that we’re at a point where another agreement is imminent,” said National Security Council communications director John Kirby. A possible deal should also include ceasefires and humanitarian aid.
According to a media report, the head of the Israeli secret service Mossad is exploring new negotiations to release the hostages. Mossad chief David Barnea consulted with CIA director William Burns and Qatari Prime Minister Abdulrahman Al Thani in Warsaw, the Haaretz newspaper reported. Kirby did not confirm the CIA chief’s trip and referred to the US secret service.
According to Israeli estimates, at least 109 hostages are currently being held in the Gaza Strip. Hamas is also not releasing the bodies of several kidnapped people. Meanwhile, Hamas released a new video of Israeli hostages on Monday. Three older men can be seen in the footage, one of whom speaks into the camera in Hebrew. It was initially unclear under what circumstances the video was made and when it was filmed. According to Israeli media reports, the three men were abducted from a kibbutz in the Israeli border area to the Gaza Strip.
What will be important on Tuesday
UN aid organizations in Geneva provide information about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.