Summary
Israel’s defence minister, Yoav Gallant, said today that the country’s intense military operation in southern Gaza was nearing its end. However, Gallant noted that Hamas would not agree to release any more hostages without continued military pressure. He accused the Islamist militant group of carrying out “psychological abuse”.
An anti-ship ballistic missile fired by Iran-backed Houthi militants struck a Marshall Islands-flagged, US-owned and operated container ship about 100 miles off the Gulf of Aden, the US military confirmed. The ship has reported no injuries or significant damage and is continuing its journey.
The strike on the Gibraltar Eagle marks a widening of the theatre of war and raises questions about whether the US-UK naval alliance off Yemen will have to mount a further series of strikes, or even consider liaising actively with ground troops from the UN recognised Presidential Leadership Council – the Saudi-UAE backed coalition government based in Aden.
Hamas released a video announcing the death of two Israeli hostages and claimed that they had beenn killed by Israeli airstrikes. The two men are believed to be Yossi Sharabi, 53, and Itay Svirsky, 38. Israel says 132 hostages are still being held by the Islamist militant group and that 25 have died in captivity.
Two young French nationals were injured in Monday’s attack in Raanana, Israel, the French foreign ministry said in a statement, condemning the attack.
Updated
Analysis: strike against US cargo ship near Yemen represents a widening theatre of war
The Guardian’s Patrick Wintour has more on the Gibraltar Eagle, the Marshall Islands-flagged, US-owned and operated container ship that was struck by an anti-ship ballistic missile fired by Iran-backed Houthi militants near Yemen:
The Houthis comparative success on Monday raises questions about whether the US-UK naval alliance off Yemen will have to mount a further series of strikes, or even consider liaising actively with ground troops from the UN recognised Presidential Leadership Council – the Saudi-UAE backed coalition government based in Aden.
The UK defence secretary, Grant Shapps, said the attacks on the Houthis mounted on Thursday night had been intended as “a single limited action” rather than a continuing series of attacks.
But Rishi Sunak, the UK prime minister, told MPs he hoped the Houthis would step back after the “necessary and proportionate response”, but added “the UK would not hesitate to protect our security and our interests”.
“We remain prepared to back our words with action,” he said.
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