Key facts
- 73 people were wounded in Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia.
- Israeli ministers called for sanctions on Britain over trade with settlements.
- Iran's acting defense minister stated Iran has the technology to hit US warships.
- Over 4,300 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March.
- Hamas accused Israel of attempting to conceal evidence of crimes in Gaza.
The Middle East remains a focal point of geopolitical tension, with multiple fronts experiencing significant developments. In Yemen, the Saudi-led coalition announced that 73 people, including women and children, were wounded following Houthi attacks in the cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran. Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki vowed a firm response to the assaults.
Meanwhile, tensions between Israel and the UK are escalating. Israeli Ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have called for Israel to impose sanctions on Britain. This call comes as the UK government is reportedly preparing to announce a ban on trade with Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.
In a statement addressing regional security, Iran's acting defense minister, Majid Ibn Reza, rejected claims from Washington that Tehran lacks the technical capability to strike US warships. He asserted that Iran possesses the necessary technology and hinted at future actions, stating, "God willing, you will see; you will see the results."
The conflict between Israel and Lebanon continues to exact a heavy toll. The health ministry announced that the death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon has risen to 4,362 people since the start of March, with 12,378 others left wounded. The cumulative casualties since October 8, 2023, now stand at 8,929 killed and 30,614 wounded.
Adding to the ongoing conflict, Hamas late on Monday accused Israel of attempting to conceal evidence of "brutal crimes" committed against Palestinians in Gaza. The movement alleged that Israel is trying to "obliterate evidence" by removing and relocating rubble, despite the presence of bodies and material evidence of alleged "crimes of genocide" over the past two years.