Israel's Expanding Military Operations in Gaza and Yemen

Israel's military has launched strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, in response to a missile attack by the Iran-backed group on Israel's Ben Gurion airport the previous day. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said it targeted sites in Hudaydah Port and the Bajil cement factory, claiming they were used for transferring Iranian weapons and constructing Houthi infrastructure. The Houthis reported 21 people were injured in the attack, which they described as a "US-Israeli aggression," although the US denied involvement. The strike on Sunday near the airport injured six people, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to vow retaliation.

Israel's security cabinet has approved a plan to expand its military operation against Hamas in Gaza, which includes capturing and holding territory, and moving the 2.1 million population to protect them. The plan, proposed by the Israeli military's Chief of Staff, aims to defeat Hamas and rescue remaining hostages. The cabinet also approved a plan to deliver aid through private companies, which has been met with criticism from the UN and aid agencies, who say it breaches humanitarian principles. Israel has called up tens of thousands of reservists and has resumed its offensive after a two-month ceasefire, with at least 52,567 people killed in Gaza since the conflict began. The plan is expected to be implemented after US President Donald Trump's visit to the region. Hamas has rejected Israel's plan, and the UK and EU have expressed concerns about further casualties and suffering for the Palestinian population.

A missile launched by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen briefly halted flights and commuter traffic at Israel's Ben-Gurion International Airport, causing panic among passengers and leaving a plume of smoke. The attack, which the Houthis claimed was carried out with a hypersonic ballistic missile, lightly wounded four people and left a deep crater near the airport. Israel vowed to respond, with Defense Minister Israel Katz saying "whoever harms us, we will harm them sevenfold." The attack came as Israel's Cabinet was set to vote on expanding its military operations in Gaza, where fighting has killed over 52,000 people and displaced 90% of the population since October 2023.

Israel's government has approved a plan to capture the entire Gaza Strip and remain in the territory for an unspecified amount of time, with the goal of defeating Hamas and freeing hostages still held in Gaza. The plan, which was approved by Israeli Cabinet ministers, involves calling up tens of thousands of reserve soldiers and expanding Israel's military operations in Gaza. The move is likely to face international opposition and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in the enclave, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been displaced and are facing widespread hunger and shortages. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation would be "intensive" and that Gaza's population "will be moved, for its own protection," although details of the plan are unclear. The international community, including the European Union, has expressed concern over the plan, warning that it could result in further casualties and suffering for the Palestinian population.

A Houthi missile struck near Tel Aviv's largest airport, injuring at least 8 people, after evading Israeli and US missile defenses. The attack prompted several international airlines to cancel flights to Israel, with Lufthansa, Swiss, and Air Europa among those affected. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed retaliation, saying "whoever harms us, we will strike them sevenfold." The incident comes as Israeli forces were operating in southern Gaza, striking over 100 terror targets and dismantling terrorist infrastructure sites.

A senior Israeli defense official stated that President Donald Trump's upcoming visit to the Middle East is Israel's "window of opportunity" to secure a hostage deal, and if no deal is reached, Israel will initiate a new military operation in the Gaza Strip called Operation 'Gideon Chariots'. Israel plans to call up tens of thousands of reserve troops to take over the Gaza Strip and remain in captured territory. The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has prioritized victory over Hamas over returning hostages taken nearly 580 days ago. Qatar, involved in hostage negotiations, criticized Netanyahu's comments, saying they "fall short of the most basic standards of political and moral responsibility".

The US has launched a new round of airstrikes in Yemen after the Iran-backed Houthis claimed responsibility for a missile that landed near Israel's Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday. The Houthi-controlled state news agency reported "American aggression" behind several strikes on the capital, Sanaa, on Monday, wounding at least 16 people. The US has been carrying out an intensified campaign of daily airstrikes targeting the Houthis since March 15, with the goal of restoring freedom of navigation and American deterrence. The Houthis had vowed to continue attacks on Israeli airports and implement a "comprehensive aerial blockade" on Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the US was supporting Israeli operations against the Houthis and vowed to respond to the Houthis and their "Iranian terror masters."

At least 15 people were injured in airstrikes in and around Sanaa, Yemen's capital, according to the Houthi rebel group, who initially claimed the attacks were carried out by "US-British aggression." However, the British Ministry of Defence denied UK involvement. The strikes come after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to retaliate against the Houthis following a missile attack on Israel's main international airport. The Houthis have targeted Israel in solidarity with Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas war, and have also threatened to impose a "comprehensive" aerial blockade on Israel.

Israel's decision to occupy all of Gaza marks a significant shift in strategy from "clear and leave" to "clear and hold", potentially leading to a prolonged and bloody conflict. This change in approach indicates a failure to achieve goals so far, including forcing Hamas to surrender and releasing hostages. The Israeli government's plan is unclear, with some speculating it could lead to a permanent occupation of Gaza. Discussions are reportedly underway to rehouse Gazans, potentially in the southern part of the strip, near the Egyptian border. The conflict is likely to continue for many months, if not years, with the Israeli Prime Minister announcing that the goal is now the defeat of Hamas, rather than the return of hostages.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. Israel retaliated with airstrikes and a ground invasion of Gaza, leading to a devastating war that has killed tens of thousands of people. Key events include Israel's evacuation order for Gaza City, the al Ahli hospital explosion, and the Israeli military's entry into al Shifa hospital. A temporary ceasefire was agreed in November, but fighting resumed in December. The conflict has escalated into a wider regional crisis, with Iran and Israel trading salvos in April 2024, and international concern growing over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Negotiations for a ceasefire have stalled, and the war continues, with recent Israeli airstrikes on Rafah killing 45 people and sparking international outrage.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved a plan to capture all of the Gaza Strip and hold it indefinitely, with Israeli troops remaining in the territory for an unspecified period. The plan involves distributing aid, but not allowing new supplies in yet, and is aimed at preventing Hamas from controlling humanitarian aid. The UN has rejected the plan, warning it could put people at greater risk and leave the most vulnerable without aid. The decision comes as the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains "absolutely desperate", with over 52,000 Palestinians killed since the conflict began. The Israeli cabinet hopes the new plan will help achieve its goals of destroying Hamas and returning hostages, but it is likely to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis.

Hundreds of current and former Israeli Air Force pilots have signed an open letter calling for an end to the war in Gaza, citing "political and personal interests" as the driving force behind the continued conflict. The letter's authors, including former pilot Guy Poran, accuse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of prioritizing politics over peace and abandoning a ceasefire deal with Hamas. The protest has spread to other parts of the military, with over 15,000 people signing a supporting letter, including paratroopers, medics, and other units. Netanyahu has dismissed the original letter's authors as "bad apples," but the growing dissent within the military is exposing deep divisions in Israeli society.