Saudi airports attacked as Middle East tensions persist

Saudi Arabia reported attacks on two of its airports by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, resulting in three injuries. The General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed that airports in Najran and Jizan were damaged in Monday’s strikes. Houthi Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed responsibility, stating the rebels also targeted a third airport, Abha International Airport, though this could not be independently verified. The attacks come amid ongoing Saudi-led military efforts to reclaim Houthi-controlled territory near the Red Sea to secure oil export routes.

In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed two people and injured at least one other, according to health officials at Shifa Hospital. The Israeli military stated it targeted fighters in densely populated areas. The strikes occurred nearly a year after a ceasefire took effect, during which over 1,460 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of a potential Hamas attack ahead of the country’s upcoming elections. Netanyahu asserted that Hamas might attempt to influence the election outcome but claimed Israel was prepared to respond with force. The statement followed recent political criticism over security management, including a thwarted attack on a FlyDubai cockpit.

Israeli authorities demolished a five-story building in east Jerusalem, displacing Palestinian residents. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir stated over 10,000 structures had been demolished in the past year and a half due to permit issues. Palestinian residents, such as Fayez Saeed Khalafawi, described the demolitions as a political displacement tactic, highlighting the difficulty of obtaining construction permits in the area.