Israel-Hamas Conflict: Israel Rejects South Africa's 'Grossly Distorted' Case; US, UK Strike Houthi Targets

Israel rejects 'grossly distorted' claims by South Africa at ICJ

Israel's representatives at the ICJ hearings on South Africa's case rejected the latter's "genocide" claims, saying the allegations were "grossly distorted."

The country called on ICJ judges to dismiss South Africa's demand that Israel end its military offensive in the Gaza Strip as doing so would leave Israel without defense against Hamas terrorism.

Tal Becker, the Israeli foreign ministry's legal adviser, told the court South Africa's claim Israel was committing "genocidal acts" against Palestinians in Gaza was "totally lacking."

British lawyer Malcolm Shaw said the military campaign in Gaza was "no genocide" and South Africa was only telling the world "half of the story."

US, UK and allies release joint statement regarding Houthi strikes

The United Kingdom released a joint statement with the U.S. and coalition forces of its joint strikes targeting Houthi sites in Yemen Thursday, saying the strikes were "in accordance with the inherent right of individual and collective self-defense, consistent with the UN charter.

The maritime task force said its goal "remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea." It warned, however, that it will "not hesitate to defend lives" and ensure that the flow of commercial shipping activities in the area are undisrupted.

5 dead, 6 injured in coalition strikes: Houthis

Five people were killed and six others were injured in airstrikes carried out by the U.S. and UK Thursday in Yemen, the rebel Houthi militia said Friday morning local time.

It added that the capital of Sana'a was among sites targeted by the coalition strikes, including the governorates of Hajjah, Saada, Taiz and Hodeidah. "The American and British enemy bears full responsibility for its criminal aggression against our Yemeni people," the Houthis said in a Google-translated statement.

It went on to declare that the attacks, which will not go unanswered, will "not dissuade" the group from supporting Palestine and its "continued prevention of Israeli ships or those heading" to Israeli ports.

Hezbollah warns of 'severe consequences' after attacks on Houthi sites

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said late on Thursday warned that there will be "severe consequences" for the attacks carried out against Houthi-linked sites in Yemen since "Yemen is officially a part of the Axis of Resistance."

His comments came amid continuing fire exchanges between Israeli troops and Hezbollah militants near the Israel-Lebanon border.

Talks ongoing to deliver medicine to remaining hostages: Report

Qatar is mediating between Israel and Hamas to allow for the delivery of much-needed medication for hostages still being held in Gaza, the New York Times reported, citing an Israeli official with knowledge of the discussions.

Many of the remaining hostages are either injured or elderly people dealing with chronic diseases. It is believed that the health condition of wounded and sickly hostages has deteriorated due to the harsh environment they are being kept in.

The Red Cross has not been able to meet any of the remaining hostages since the war started.

Iran criticizes US-UK 'arbitrary' attacks against Houthis

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani on Friday slammed the "arbitrary attacks" by joint U.S. and UK forces against Houthi sites. He said the attacks "will have no result other than fueling insecurity and instability in the region," as per the Iranian government's semi-official Mehr News Agency.

He said Washington and Britain were just "trying to detract the attention of the people of the world" from the war in Gaza between Israeli troops and Hamas.

Iran supports various militant groups around the world, including Hamas, the Houthis, Lebanon-based Hezbollah, and Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq.

Saudi calls for restraint amid rising Middle East tensions

Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry on Friday called for restraint and "avoiding escalation" following the airstrikes launched by Washington and Britain on facilities linked to Houthis.

The kingdom, which has been engaged in peace talks with Yemeni Houthi rebels in recent months, was closely monitoring the situation "great concern," the foreign ministry added.

IDF reminds world of Hamas Oct. 7 massacre ahead of ICJ hearing's second day

Ahead of the second day of hearings at the ICJ, the Israeli army said it will never allow the world to forget the atrocities that Hamas committed against Israelis and foreign nationals, nor will it falter to remind the world that there are still hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza.

"'Never again' is our call to action, because 'Never again' is now," said IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari.

Netanyahu slams South Africa's 'hypocrisy'

The Israeli Prime Minister, in a message ahead of the beginning of the second day of hearings at The Hague, called out South Africa for turning the world "upside down" in its "genocide" allegations against Israel at the ICJ.

"South Africa's hypocrisy screams to the high Heavens," he said, adding that the country wasn't vocal when "millions of people were being murdered and uprooted from their homes" by Hamas "partners."

Israel will continue to "refute the lies" and fight against Hamas "until total victory," Netanyahu said in conclusion.

Houthis won't hesitate to 'confront' US: Leader

Abdul Malik al-Houthi, leader of the Yemeni Houthi rebel militia, said early Friday that the group will "not hesitate" to "confront the American aggression," following Thursday strikes targeting Houthi-held areas in Yemen by joint American and British forces.

"The response to any American attack will not only be at the level of the operation that was recently carried out with more than 24 drones and several missiles, but it will be greater than that," al-Houthi said as per a Google translation of his statement.

He went on to call on other Arab and Islamic nations "not to partner with the Americans in their efforts to protect Israeli ships."

Israel on 'high alert' after US-UK strikes against Houthis: Official

Israel is on "high alert for a retaliation" by Iran-backed Yemeni Houthis and other pro-Iranian factions following the joint strikes by Washington and London against the rebel militia, Axios political reporter Barak Ravid wrote on X, citing an Israeli official.

The Houthis have repeatedly said its attacks in the Red Sea were targeted at Israeli vessels, Israel-affiliated ships, and those headed toward Israeli ports.

Houthis fire toward Red Sea after US-UK strikes: Arab media

Houthis fired "several missiles" toward the Red Sea early Friday local time following airstrikes conducted by the U.S. and the UK in Yemen, Sky News Arabia reported, citing unnamed sources.

Pentagon warns Houthis against continuing attacks

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Thursday warned Houthis that the U.S.-led coalition "sends a clear message" in the joint strikes targeting Houthi assets earlier in the day.

"They will bear further costs if they do not end their illegal attacks" in the Red Sea," Austin warned in a statement. Echoing the U.S. president's statements, Austin said American forces will not hesitate to defend personnel, the global economy and the free flow of "legitimate commerce in one of the world's vital waterways."

US will 'not hesitate' to attack Houthis again: Biden

U.S. President Joe Biden has also released a statement on the joint U.S.-U.K. attacks targeting Houthi assets in Yemen earlier Thursday, saying the strikes were "defensive."

"I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary," he said.

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UK's Houthi strikes an act of 'self defense': British PM

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak late on Thursday explained in a statement that the United Kingdom had to take "limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defense" following continuing Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

He said the strikes conducted by the British Royal Air Force were "targeted" and aimed at reducing the Houthi rebels' military capabilities in further attacking commercial ships.

US, UK strike Houthi targets in Yemen

The U.S. and the U.K. struck over a dozen Houthi assets in Yemen Thursday after the Yemeni rebel group attacked multiple merchant vessels in the Red Sea in the past few weeks, multiple outlets reported, citing U.S. officials.

Forces of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), "in coordination with the United Kingdom, and support from Australia, Canada, the Netherlands and Bahrain conducted joint strikes on Houthi targets" early Thursday local time, the U.S. military said in a statement.

Among the assets struck were air defense systems, storage and launch sites for one-way attack drones and other weapons, and radar systems, the statement added.

"We hold the Houthi militants and their destabilizing Iranian sponsors responsible for illegal, indiscriminate, and reckless attacks on international shipping that have impacted 55 nations so far," CENTCOM commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla said. The Houthis and Iran "will be held accountable," he added.

The U.S. army did not specify which Houthi-controlled sites in Yemen were struck.