KEY POINTS
- Several injured after explosion at Iranian oil refinery, state media says
- Israel reportedly sets deadline for reaching diplomatic deal with Hezbollah
- Britain to assess Israel's humanitarian law compliance in Gaza war
The Israel-Hamas war is now in its 153rd day, and the conflict in the Middle East reached its most contentious point yet since the war started after authorities said Thursday that three crew members of the bulk carrier True Confidence were killed when a Houthi missile struck the ship off Aden in Yemen on Wednesday. The casualties mark the first deaths in Houthi-led attacks in the Red and Arabian Seas and the Gulf of Aden.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) that hit the vessel was launched from Iranian-backed Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. It also clarified that the ship was Liberian-owned, following British security firm Ambrey's report that the vessel was U.S.-owned.
Yahya Sare'e, the Yemeni rebel Houthis' spokesman, also referred to the ship as "American." He said naval missiles were fired toward the vessel, leading to a fire.
- US reportedly requests list of arms transfers to Israel
- Israel slams South Africa's fresh petition at World Court
- Hamas demands permanent truce, IDF withdrawal before hostage releases: Arab media
- Protesters calling for hostages' release restart demonstrations at Kerem Shalom crossing
- Indian Navy evacuates crew members from Houthi-struck ship
- 8 missiles fired toward Galilee from southern Lebanon: Arab media
- Hamas knows hostages' fate but is playing a 'game': Report
- Israeli fighter jets strike Hezbollah buildings after missiles fired from Lebanon
- Palestinian Authority sees itself as able to exist alongside Israel: Former Shin Bet chief
- US ambassador to Israel says ceasefire-hostage deal talks have not ended
In Israel's northern border with Lebanon, Iranian-backed Hezbollah claimed it struck an Israeli army vehicle – the heavily armed Lebanese terror group has been targeting Israeli military assets in recent weeks.
Back in the devastated Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it eliminated the head of Hamas' Central Camp unit in joint efforts with Israel's security agency Shin Bet.
Talks for a ceasefire-hostage deal have stalled even as the U.S. and mediators Qatar and Egypt push the warring sides to reach an agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called Hamas' demands "delusional," but the latter has reiterated that it won't settle for less than what it demands.
The war in Gaza stems from decades of fighting in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden is advocating to resolve through a two-state solution. Deep-rooted tensions blew up on Oct. 7, when Hamas operatives raided Israel, killing more than a thousand people -- mostly civilians -- and taking some 250 Israelis and foreigners hostage.
The live update has ended.
Hostage deal talks have not ended: US ambassador
U.S. ambassador to Israel Jack Lowe on Thursday clarified that talks for a hostage release deal are ongoing and have not ended, as per Axios political reporter Barak Ravid.
His clarification came after a Hamas delegation departed Cairo without a breakthrough in talks for a ceasefire-hostage agreement.
