Trump is again pursuing the "maximum pressure" strategy on Iran that he started in his first term by imposing new sanctions and warning of military action if Iran does not agree to a new deal on its nuclear activities.
In a post on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump stated that any retaliation from the Houthis would be considered as originating from Iran, which supports not only the Houthis but also Hamas and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Following the return of US attacks against the Houthis in Yemen over the weekend, there were airstrikes by Israel on Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. These actions were taken to prevent assaults by the Houthis on Red Sea shipping lanes, causing ships to avoid the area and leading to an increase in freight rates. The Houthis retaliated by launching a ballistic missile at Israel’s Nevatim air base, threatening to target more locations in Israel unless the attacks in Gaza ceased.
Hamas reported that over 400 individuals, including senior members, have been killed since the airstrikes began. They accused Israel of not upholding its commitments under a truce brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the US in January, particularly in terms of aid reaching Gaza.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar mentioned that the military operation would continue in the following days. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also stated that the renewed strikes were just the beginning and vowed to maintain military pressure until all hostages taken during the October 2023 attacks were released. Netanyahu emphasized that military operations would persist even if negotiations resumed, signaling an end to the hope of extending the near two-month truce into a second phase slated for March.
Israel ended the ceasefire with Hamas through airstrikes in Gaza, escalating tensions in the region and directly targeting Iran-backed militant groups. Iran condemned Israel’s attacks, warning that the international community’s inaction could have severe consequences for global peace and security.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar also expressed concerns over the renewed airstrikes, with Saudi Arabia criticizing Israel for disregarding international humanitarian law and Qatar emphasizing the need for a return to ceasefire discussions to prevent further destabilization in the region.
The increased military operations by both the US and Israel ended a period of relative calm in the Middle East, triggering a rise in gold and oil prices. With the Gaza bombardment being the most deadly since before the negotiated ceasefire, tensions remain high as both sides struggle to find common ground for peace negotiations.