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Israeli intercepts missile from Yemen, warns of ‘severe blow’ to Houthi militants
December 24, 2024
Article Body Text<p>Israel’s military said early Tuesday it intercepted a missile that was launched from Yemen.</p> <p>The missile prompted air sirens, but caused no damage after being destroyed before entering Israeli territory, the military said.</p> <p>The Yemen-based Houthi militants have fired scores of missiles at Israel since Hamas launched its attack on Israel in October 2023, sparking the war in the Gaza Strip.</p> <p>Israel’s response has included airstrikes on Houthi targets, and on Monday Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that Houthi leaders would face the fate as leaders from Hamas and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah militant group who have been killed in Israeli strikes.</p> <p>Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis are all backed by Iran, and all have been designated as terror groups by the United States and others.</p> <p>Katz on Monday confirmed Israel was responsible for the August explosion in Tehran that killed Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh. Israel was widely believed to have been behind the attack, but Monday’s comments appeared to be Israel’s first public acknowledgment.</p> <p>Israeli forces killed a number of Hezbollah leaders in recent months amid intensified fighting in southern and eastern Lebanon. That conflict has cooled with a month-old cease-fire, while negotiators including Egypt, the United States and Qatar have been working to try to achieve an elusive halt in fighting in Gaza.</p> <p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a speech Monday in the Knesset that there has been “some progress” in the ongoing negotiations to secure the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza.</p> <p>“Everything we are doing cannot be disclosed,” Netanyahu said. “I wish to say cautiously that there has been some progress and we will not stop acting until we bring them all home.” </p> <p>Hamas militants killed 1,200 people in their October 2023 attack on southern Israel and took about 250 others hostage. There are still around 100 hostages still being held in Gaza, though at least one-third are believed to be dead. </p> <p>Israel’s counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 45,200 people, according to the Gaza health ministry. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and fighters in its count. </p> <p>Netanyahu also said Monday that he wants to sign new peace agreements with Arab countries, similar to the 2020 Abraham Accords negotiated by the U.S. for Israel and several Arab countries. </p> <p>"Moderate Arab countries view Israel as a regional power and a potential ally,” Netanyahu said. “I intend to seize this opportunity to the fullest.” </p> <p>Some information for this story was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.</p>
Content TypeText
LanguageEnglish
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Subtitles / Dubbing AvailableNo
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateDecember 24, 2024 00:29 EST
BylineVOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
