‘An affront to diplomatic norms’: US slams Houthis’ arrests of US, UN officials

The US State Department “strongly condemns” the Houthis’ recent arrests of UN officials, diplomats and aid personnel in Yemen, which the rebels have claimed was a crackdown on an alleged Israeli-American spy cell.

“We also strongly condemn the Houthis’ efforts to spread disinformation regarding the role of detained current and former US mission local staff through televised forced and fake ‘confessions,'” says a statement by department spokesperson Matthew Miller. “Yet again the Houthis are seeking to use disinformation to shift blame to the United States and other outside actors for their own failures.

“These Houthi actions reflect a blatant disregard for the dignity of the Yemeni people and individuals who – contrary to the Houthis’ lies – have dedicated themselves to their country’s betterment. Their detention, and that of the UN staff, is an affront to diplomatic norms, and they should be released immediately. We will not rest until they are,” the statement adds.

Hamas said to demand halt to war even if no agreement reached regarding deal’s 2nd phase

Channel 13 news publishes what it claims to be details from the Hamas terror group’s amendments to the Israel-American proposal for a truce and hostage deal, though it doesn’t say how these were obtained.

The Hamas demands include a complete halt to the war, even if no agreement is reached regarding the second stage of the three-phase deal. The current proposal said such negotiations would start during the first phase, and Hamas is said to contend that it won’t agree to a deadline after which fighting could renew if no agreement is reached.

Hamas is also reportedly demanding that the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip start during the first phase of the deal, rather than the third phase; that Israel not be allowed to veto the release of any Palestinian security prisoner, after Israel agreed to compromise greatly on this matter; and that no murder convicts be deported abroad or to the Gaza Strip.

“This is the most extreme response Hamas could have given,” the network quotes an unnamed Israeli official as saying. “It is apparent that the American pressure has not worked. It is hard to start a negotiation in these conditions.”

In addition, Lebanon’s Al-Akhbar outlet has reported that Hamas is demanding that the IDF will start its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip on the first day of the first phase, with the key Salah a-Din and Al-Rashid highways, the army facilities in Netzarim, the Philadelphi Route along the Egypt-Gaza border and the Rafah Border Crossing all vacated by the seventh day.

If Israel doesn’t commit to a full withdrawal from Gaza by the seventh day, the release of hostages will stop, according to the reported Hamas response.

Hamas urges US to pressure Israel, claims no indication Jerusalem agrees to truce deal

Palestinian terror group Hamas claims it has shown “full positivity” in efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement with Israel in the Gaza Strip conflict.

In a statement, Hamas says it urges the US to direct its pressure against Israel to accept a deal leading to a permanent ceasefire in the enclave.

Hamas says that while US officials have said Israel has accepted a ceasefire proposal outlined by US President Joe Biden on May 31, “we have not heard any Israeli official confirm this acceptance.”

Hamas rejected the proposal, waiting two weeks to submit a list of amendments, some of which Washington has said are “not workable.” The Biden administration has been putting extensive pressure on the terror group, questioning whether it is negotiating in good faith.

Yemen’s Houthis claim to target sites in Israel’s Ashdod and Haifa, ship in Red Sea

Yemen’s Houthis targeted “Tutor ship” in the Red Sea, the Iran-aligned group’s military spokesman Yahya Saree says in a televised speech.

The ship was hit and is facing the danger of sinking, Saree claims.

The rebels also claim to have carried out a joint military operation with Islamic Resistance in Iraq targeting sites in Israel’s Ashdod and Haifa, without elaborating.