Iran Labanon Israel War: On Sunday, at least four people were killed and 29 others injured as Israel airstrikes pounded Houthi targets in Yemen. Days after the attacks, Israel’s Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, underscored the nation’s reach, saying “no place is too far” for Israeli forces. Ras Issa and Hodeidah in Yemen are targeted in a series of airstrikes on power plants and seaports, marking a significant escalation in the conflict.
Israeli Airstrikes Target Houthi Infrastructure to Disrupt Weapon Supply Chains
The airstrikes targeted the Houthi regime’s ability to move Iranian weapons and military aid, including oil, through key junctures of infrastructure, according to the Israeli Defence Forces. “The IDF attacked power plants and a port that uses oil for importation,” it said in a statement. The Israeli military have taken more overt steps recently against militias associated with Iran, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthis in Yemen.
The Israeli airstrikes were against recent missile and drone attacks launched by the Houthis in solidarity with Palestinians. Since the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, the attacks by the Houthi had become even more aggressive; Hezbollah was also firing rockets at northern Israel. The officials report 35 rockets were fired from the Lebanese side, including 25 that landed in open areas near the vicinity of Haifa Bay.
Lebanon Appeals for Peace as Tensions Escalate
Lebanon has been seeking diplomatic channels to end the war, and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati appealed for a peace settlement to “end these aggressions by Israel.” Information Minister Ziad Makary said that Lebanon had been looking forward to peace but that Nasrallah’s killing will change everything.
As the tensions gather pace, the U.S. stated that it supports a ceasefire, but still White House national security spokesman John Kirby believes in diplomacy. “An all-out war with Hezbollah, certainly with Iran, is not the way to do that,” Kirby said, citing fear over the escalating violence in the region. Still, Israel has been ruling out the ceasefire plan and continues military operations up so far.