Israel has launched unprecedented airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen just days after it vowed revenge for a drone attack on Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, a secret meeting has taken place between the US, Israel, and the UAE to discuss Gaza's governance post-conflict.
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Israel's First Strikes on Yemen Houthis Amid Gaza Conflict and International Diplomacy
In a significant escalation, Israel has conducted its first-ever airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen. This move comes just days after Israel threatened retaliation following a drone strike on Tel Aviv, which Jerusalem blamed on the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels based in Yemen.
While details of the airstrikes remain limited, it underscores Israel's expanded military reach beyond its immediate borders and signals a potential shift in its response to perceived threats. It also raises concerns about the potential for a regional expansion of the ongoing conflict in Yemen.
Israel's First Strikes on Yemen Houthis Amid Gaza Conflict and International Diplomacy
Amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, a secret meeting has been held in Abu Dhabi between the US, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to discuss a potential strategy for governing Gaza once the hostilities end.
The meeting, attended by senior officials from all three nations, is a sign that Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is looking to establish a plan for Gaza's future, despite repeated calls for a ceasefire. However, details of the meeting remain scarce, and it is unclear if options for ending the war were also discussed.
Israel's First Strikes on Yemen Houthis Amid Gaza Conflict and International Diplomacy
Despite international pressure for a ceasefire, Prime Minister Netanyahu has vowed not to end the offensive until Hamas is eradicated. He has previously suggested that Israel may need to take full control of Gaza to ensure the "demilitarization" of Hamas.
Such a move would reverse Israel's 2005 agreement to withdraw from Gaza and raise significant concerns about the potential for long-term occupation and the humanitarian consequences for Gaza's population.
Israel's First Strikes on Yemen Houthis Amid Gaza Conflict and International Diplomacy
The Abu Dhabi meeting was reportedly hosted by the UAE's Foreign Minister Abdullah Bin Zayed and attended by US officials involved in Middle East policy. The UAE has been playing an increasingly active role in regional diplomacy and is seen as a potential mediator in the Gaza conflict.
The UAE's "day-after" proposal, outlined in an op-ed by special envoy Lana Nusseibeh, calls for a comprehensive approach to addressing Gaza's reconstruction and governance once the fighting ends.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is expected to meet with President Biden and Congress during his upcoming trip to Washington. The war in Gaza is likely to be a central topic of discussion, with the US facing increasing pressure to broker a ceasefire and address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory.
The secret meeting in Abu Dhabi and Netanyahu's visit to Washington suggest that efforts are underway to find a negotiated solution to the Gaza conflict and explore long-term governance options for Gaza. However, challenges remain, including the ongoing violence on the ground and the competing agendas of the parties involved.
