The U.S. military has launched a series of airstrikes in Yemen against underground arms facilities controlled by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
U.S. Central Command confirmed that Wednesday's strikes were aimed at weapons used by the Houthis to target commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza on Wednesday killed at least five people, including two infants and a woman, Palestinian medics reported, further escalating the humanitarian toll in the conflict.
The casualties included a 4-month-old boy and a woman, both killed in an airstrike that targeted a home in the central Gaza city of Deir al-Balah.
Why it Matters
The Houthis claimed responsibility for numerous attacks on shipping vessels, citing their support for Hamas in the Gaza conflict.
They justified these attacks by claiming they were retaliating against Israel's military actions in Gaza.
However, many of the targeted vessels have no direct ties to the conflict, with some ships bound for Iran or other destinations.
Why Are Yemen's Houthis Targeting Israel?
Israel's military maintains that its airstrikes target militants, accusing Hamas and other armed groups of using civilian areas as cover for their operations.
But the number of civilian casualties, including children, continues to rise, fueling calls for international intervention and a ceasefire.
What to Know
The war between Israel and Hamas began on October 7, 2023, when militants from the Gaza-based group stormed southern Israel, killing at least 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages.
Since then, Israel's air and ground offensive in Gaza has claimed over 45,800 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.
While the ministry does not specify how many of the dead were fighters, it does report that women and children make up more than half of the fatalities.
Why is the Civilian Death Toll in Gaza So High?
Israel claims it has killed over 17,000 militants, though it has not provided evidence to substantiate this figure.
As the offensive continues, Israel has leveled large sections of Gaza's infrastructure, displacing an estimated 90 percent of its population of 2.3 million people.
Many civilians have been forced to flee multiple times, creating a dire humanitarian crisis that aid organizations are struggling to address.
What People Are Saying
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to unleash "hell" if the Israeli hostages are not released before his inauguration later this month.
What Happens Now
While diplomatic talks have been ongoing for several months, no agreement has been reached by any party for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press.
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