February 4, 2024 8:02am ET
It's afternoon in the Middle East.Here's what you need to know
From CNN staff
The Iran-backed Houthi rebels said they would “meet escalation with escalation” after the US and UK attacked at least 36 Houthi targets in several parts of Yemen on Saturday.
The airstrike marks the second day of a major US operation against Iranian-linked militias in the Middle East.
Here's what you need to know…
Saturday attack: The joint statement said the United States and Britain, with support from other countries, “specifically targeted locations associated with the Houthis' deeply buried weapons storage facilities, missile systems and launchers, air defense systems, and radars.” The aim is to reduce tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea, where the Houthis have been attacking ships. ”
Houthis vow revenge: In response to the airstrikes, Houthi political council member Mohammed al-Bukhaiti wrote on The operation will continue until 2019,” he added. The crime of genocide in Gaza will be stopped. ”
The Houthis had “repeatedly warned”. on sunday, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said the airstrikes followed “repeated warnings” against the Houthis and said their attacks “must stop”. Moreover, their reckless actions endanger innocent lives, threaten freedom of navigation and destabilize the region, he added.
Political solution “difficult”: The airstrikes in Yemen came a day after the United States struck at least 85 targets linked to pro-Iranian militias in Iraq and Syria in retaliation for a drone strike that killed three American soldiers in Jordan. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdullahian said recent US airstrikes in the Middle East and the US decision to designate the Houthis as a terrorist organization have “complicated the situation and made it more difficult to reach a political solution.” ” State news agency, IRNA.
Palestinian death toll rises: At least 127 people have been killed and 178 injured in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours, the Hamas-controlled Palestinian Health Ministry said on Sunday. It added that a total of 27,365 Palestinians have been killed and 66,630 injured in Gaza since October 7.
Biden does not 'fully support' war: Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir told the Wall Street Journal on Sunday that US President Joe Biden does not give Israel “full support” in its war against Hamas. Benny Gantz, a former defense minister and Israeli wartime minister, called his comments “irresponsible” and urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “call on[him]to order.”
Thousands protest in Israel: For the third consecutive week on Saturday, thousands of people took part in demonstrations in parts of Israel demanding regime change and the release of Israeli hostages remaining in Gaza. Some say the government's actions show it is not “putting its people first.” Anger grows over Prime Minister Netanyahu's handling of the hostage crisis.
Thousands of Hezbollah targets were attacked: The Israel Defense Forces said it has struck more than 3,400 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon and more than 50 in Syria since the Gaza war broke out on October 7. Spokesman Daniel Hagari said the aim was to disrupt Hezbollah's “ammunition and missile supply chain.” ' is being smuggled from Iran to Syria and then Lebanon.
