Mideast Conflict Escalates: Israel Strikes Yemen, Hezbollah Fires Back, US Warns of Rapid Rebuilding

The ongoing conflict between Israel and its regional adversaries continues to escalate, with Israel launching airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen and Hezbollah launching a relentless barrage of rockets towards Israel in response to Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon, The Associated Press reports.

• Yemen Strikes: In response to a ballistic missile attack launched toward Israel’s Ben Gurion airport on Saturday, Israel conducted airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. The Israeli military claimed that dozens of its aircraft targeted power plants and sea port facilities in the city of Hodeida. The Houthi media office confirmed the strikes on the Hodeida and Rass Issa ports, along with two power plants in Hodeida city, a stronghold for the Iranian-backed rebels. The Houthi-run Health Ministry reported four people killed and 40 injured in the attacks.
• Hezbollah’s Retaliation: Hezbollah has significantly intensified its rocket attacks on Israel, launching hundreds of rockets daily in the past week, according to the Israeli military. While Israel’s air defense systems have intercepted many of the rockets, some have caused damage and injuries.
• US Concerns and Warnings: White House national security spokesman John Kirby stated that Israel’s airstrikes in Lebanon have “wiped out” Hezbollah’s command structure, including the killing of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah. However, he warned that Hezbollah will work quickly to rebuild its leadership.

The US continues to urge a 21-day temporary cease-fire, a proposal floated during the recent UN General Assembly, but has not publicly commented on the specific targeting of Hezbollah leaders by Israel.

• Humanitarian Crisis in Lebanon: The ongoing airstrikes have driven hundreds of thousands of people in Lebanon from their homes, with estimates suggesting around 250,000 are in shelters, and several times that number staying with friends, relatives, or camping out on the streets.

The conflict has pushed the region to the brink of a wider war, with both Israel and Hezbollah showing no signs of backing down. Israel remains determined to return its citizens to communities in the north evacuated nearly a year ago, while Hezbollah insists on a cease-fire in Gaza before stopping its rocket fire.