Saudi Airports Hit as Middle East Tensions Escalate
Saudi Arabia reported that two of its airports were struck in renewed fighting with Yemen’s Houthi rebels, resulting in three injuries. The attacks targeted airports in Najran and Jizan on Monday, with the Houthis claiming responsibility for the strikes. The rebels also announced a missile and drone attack on a third airport, Abha International Airport, though this could not be independently verified. Saudi authorities have launched a military campaign to reclaim Houthi-controlled territory near the Red Sea to secure oil exports.
In the Strait of Hormuz, a British military report revealed that an outbound tanker was hit by an unknown projectile on Monday. While there were no immediate reports of casualties or environmental damage, the incident highlights ongoing risks in the region’s shipping lanes.
In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed two people in Gaza City, according to health officials at Shifa Hospital. The strikes came after a year-long ceasefire, during which over 1,460 Palestinians have been killed. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of a potential Hamas attack aimed at influencing Israel’s upcoming elections, though he provided no evidence to support the claim.
In the West Bank, a Palestinian photojournalist was beaten by Israeli settlers while documenting the olive harvest. The incident is part of a broader pattern of violence during this season, with four Palestinians killed and over 100 injured. Additionally, Israeli authorities demolished a five-story building in east Jerusalem, a move criticized by Palestinians as part of a displacement strategy.