The Times of Israel is liveblogging Saturday’s events as they happen.
Houthis vow to keep up attacks on Israel, warn response will have consequences
A senior Houthi official vows the Yemeni rebels will continue operations against Israel, as repeated attacks by the Iran-backed group disrupt international shipping through a key Red Sea waterway.
“The Houthis will not abandon the Palestinian cause, regardless of any US, Israeli, or Western threats,” Houthi politburo member Ali al-Qahoum tells Al-Mayadeen, according to Reuters, while warning any hostile move against Yemen will have dire consequences.
He also claims: “Yemen is concerned in protecting international maritime navigation in accordance with international laws and norms.”
UN praises Israel’s reopening of Gaza crossing for aid shipments
UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations is welcoming Israel’s announcement that the border crossing at Kerem Shalom will be opened for the direct delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, saying the sooner the better.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric tells that “the fast implementation of this agreement will increase the flow of aid” and “a humanitarian ceasefire will increase the distribution of that aid across Gaza even more.”
Dujarric also says UN humanitarian officials reported Friday that the humanitarian suffering of Palestinians in Gaza has been compounded by flooding after heavy rains in the past few days in the territory.
IDF said to launch intensive overnight strikes across Gaza
Palestinian media linked to Hamas reports intensive Israeli bombardments across the Gaza Strip, including the southern city of Khan Younis and areas in the north of the enclave.
#عاجل | مراسل شهاب: منذ 3 ساعات…أحزمة نارية متتالية من الطيران الحربي الصهيوني، و قصف مدفعي بالتزامن مع إطلاق الاحتلال لعدد كبير من قنابل الفسفور على مناطق الشجاعية و التفاح و الدرج بمدينة غزة pic.twitter.com/v2pZMSrL3E
— وكالة شهاب للأنباء (@ShehabAgency) December 15, 2023