What's happened
On December 21, 2024, a Houthi missile attack injured 14 people in Israel, following Israeli airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen. This escalation comes amid ongoing violence in Gaza and regional tensions, with both sides exchanging attacks and threats, raising concerns over further conflict and humanitarian crises.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the South China Morning Post, the Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the missile attack, stating it targeted a military site, although no specific target was identified. The article highlights that this attack followed Israeli airstrikes that killed at least nine people in Yemen, which were a response to a previous Houthi missile strike on an Israeli school. The Independent notes that the Houthis have vowed to continue their attacks until a ceasefire is established in Gaza, indicating a broader regional conflict. AP News emphasizes the humanitarian implications, reporting that the Israeli strikes have caused significant damage to Houthi-controlled ports, crucial for food shipments into Yemen. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that both sides' actions risk further escalation and undermine peace efforts, reflecting a growing international concern over the conflict's humanitarian impact.
How we got here
The conflict escalated after a Houthi missile struck an Israeli school, prompting Israeli airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. The Houthis have launched over 200 missiles and drones during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, impacting regional stability and humanitarian efforts.
More on these topics
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Yemen, officially the Republic of Yemen, is a country at the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is the second-largest Arab sovereign state in the peninsula, occupying 527,970 square kilometres.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Israel Katz is an Israeli politician who currently serves as a member of the Knesset for Likud and Minister of Finance. He has previously held the posts of Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Transportation, Minister of Intelligence and Minister of Forei
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The Israel Defense Forces, commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal, are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force, and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.