KEY POINTS
- Belgium to summon Israeli envoy over alleged bombing of development agency offices in Gaza
- US reportedly considered sanctioning Israel's Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich
- US President Joe Biden issued an executive order targeting Israeli settlers in the West Bank accused of violence
The Israel-Hamas war is now on its 119th day, and tensions in the Middle East are fast reaching a problematic high as Yemeni Houthi rebels, just one of many militias backed by Iran, continue to threaten shipping activities in the Red Sea.
Houthi spokesperson Yahya Sare'e said the Yemeni rebel militia "targeted a British commercial ship in the Red Sea" that was en route to Israel Thursday.
- Israeli missile attack killed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) adviser: Report
- Turkey arrests 7 accused of selling information to Israel's Mossad: State news
- Israeli air force elite force platoon commander killed in Gaza
- Iran-backed Al-Nujaba vows continued attacks on US troops
- Iran's intel ministry says 'massive operation' launched against Mossad: Iranian semi-official news
Qatari mediators on Thursday said Hamas has given its "initial" approval of a ceasefire proposal that could see the release of more Israeli hostages who have been held in Gaza since the war started.
The U.S. has approved a series of retaliatory strikes to be launched against an Iran-backed militia following the killing of three American servicemen in Jordan, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced. The strikes are expected to target militants in Syria and possibly, in Iraq.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) shot down a drone over the Gulf of Aden and conducted strikes on a Houthi explosive unscrewed surface vehicle (USV) in the Red Sea.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will continue its military campaign and move toward Rafah, an area that has particularly become more dense as Palestinian civilians sought shelter amid intense fighting.
Violence in the Gaza Strip stems from the long history of the Israel-Palestine conflict that erupted on Oct. 7, when Hamas militants invaded Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and abducting some 240 hostages, around 130 of which are still being held in Gaza.
In the tension-packed Israeli-Lebanese border, Hezbollah, another Iranian-backed paramilitary group, said it attacked IDF assets at the Shebaa Farms, a contentious land area claimed by Lebanon.
The live update has ended.
Iran claims 'massive operation' against Mossad: Iranian semi-official media
Iran's intelligence ministry said Friday that it carried out a "massive operation" targeting Israel's spy agency, Mossad, the Iranian government's semi-official Mehr news reported.
In the supposed operation, "a unique and unprecedented collection of information was obtained," and dozens of individuals affiliated with Israel were identified, as per the report.
This comes after Turkey detained seven people accused of selling information to the Mossad.
