
UN Warns of Rising Tensions Amid Israeli-Houthi Escalation, Urges Return to Yemeni Dialogue
The United Nations has expressed deep concern over the escalating military confrontation between Israel and Yemen's Houthis, warning that the intensifying conflict is worsening conditions in Yemen and threatening broader regional stability.
In a statement, the UN has called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and prioritize the protection of civilians and critical infrastructure. The organization emphasized that the only viable path to sustainable peace in Yemen lies in resuming an inclusive Yemeni-Yemeni dialogue.
The warning comes amid reports from the Houthi Group that Israeli forces have launched airstrikes targeting Sana'a International Airport. The Houthis claim the airport was hit earlier today in what they described as an unprovoked escalation.
In response, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a new phase in Israel's military strategy, stating, 'We will intensify our strikes on Yemeni airports and ports. We will destroy strategic infrastructure belonging to the Houthis and those who support them.'
Minister Gallant also confirmed that Israel has imposed a maritime and aerial blockade on Houthi-controlled areas, a move likely to further strain the humanitarian situation in Yemen, already one of the world's most critical crises.
The rapidly escalating conflict has drawn international attention and raised fears of a wider confrontation involving multiple regional actors. The United Nations continues to urge a diplomatic resolution and renewed commitment to peace talks.
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Egypt Independent
23 minutes ago
- Egypt Independent
Netanyahu to urge ‘full conquest' of Gaza as ceasefire talks reach an impasse
Negotiations on a hostage and ceasefire deal in Gaza appear to be at an impasse, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leaning towards expanded military operations and Hamas demanding the humanitarian situation be addressed before it returns to talks. Netanyahu will urge a meeting of the security cabinet on Tuesday to support the full 'conquest of the Strip' according to reports in Israeli media that were described as accurate by a source familiar with the matter. Israel's Ynet cited senior officials close to Netanyahu as saying: 'The die is cast – we're going for full conquest. If the Chief of Staff doesn't agree – he should resign.' The source told CNN that the defense establishment opposes an expansion of ground operations in areas where the hostages are believed to be held, as it would risk putting them in harm's way. The report was criticized by a group of mothers of Israeli soldiers, saying it would be fatal for both hostages and soldiers. The Palestinian Authority called on the international community to intervene. Asked about plans to widen the military campaign, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said Monday it reflected 'a wish to see all the hostages come back, and the wish to see the end of this war after the talks for a partial deal were not successful.' It's unclear whether the Israeli government's approach is in line with that of US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. Witkoff spent three hours with the families of Israeli hostages on Saturday, and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum quoted him as saying that the plan 'is not to expand the war but to end it. We think the negotiations should be changed to all or nothing. End the war and bring all 50 hostages home at the same time – that's the only way.' White House special envoy Steve Witkoff, center, arrives to meet families of hostages in Tel Aviv, Israel on Saturday. Ariel Schalit/AP 'We have a plan to end the war and bring everyone home,' Witkoff reportedly added. 'Someone will be to blame' if the remaining living hostages do not return to Israel still alive, he said, according to the forum. When asked, Witkoff's team did not offer any further information on the special envoy's comments. Trump said Sunday that Witkoff would likely be traveling to Moscow later in the week. Fifty hostages remain in Gaza, at least 20 of whom are believed to be alive. There was widespread shock in Israel at the release of images by Hamas at the weekend of two of the hostages – Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski – looking weak and emaciated. Netanyahu said the images demonstrated that Hamas 'don't want a deal. They want to break us with these horrifying videos, with the false horror propaganda they're spreading around the world.' However, the families forum warned the government against expanding the military campaign in Gaza. 'Netanyahu is preparing the greatest deception of all. The repeated claims of freeing hostages through military victory are a lie and a public fraud,' the forum said Sunday. The forum called on Israel and Hamas to commit to bringing 'the 50 hostages home, ending the war, and then rebuilding and reviving Israel,' the statement said. A video released by Hamas of hostage Evyatar David is displayed at a protest in Tel Aviv, Israel on Saturday. Ammar Awad/Reuters Hamas has insisted it is committed to negotiations but only when 'the catastrophic humanitarian situation' is addressed, according to Basem Naim, a senior Hamas political official. Another Hamas official, Mahmoud Mardawi, told CNN last week there was 'no point' in continuing talks as long as Gaza's starvation crisis persists. Hunger-related deaths in Gaza spiked in July, the World Health Organization said last week. Malnutrition rates reached 'alarming levels,' with more than 5,000 children under five admitted for outpatient treatment of malnutrition in just the first two weeks of July, WHO said. The Hamas-controlled Government Media Office in Gaza said Monday that 600 truckloads of aid were needed every day to alleviate the hunger crisis and claimed that in the past week an average of 84 trucks a day had entered the territory. COGAT, the Israeli agency supervising the delivery of aid into Gaza, said Monday that more than 200 trucks were collected and distributed by the UN and international organizations on Sunday. But many of the trucks that do get in are looted, either by desperate civilians or organized gangs. The United Nations said on Friday that nearly 1,400 people have been killed since the end of May while seeking food; 859 in the vicinity of sites run by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) and 514 along the routes of food convoys. Palestinians leave a food distribution point run by the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), near the Netzarim Corridor in the central Gaza Strip on Sunday. Eyad Baba/AFP/Getty Images The UN said that 'most of the killings were committed by the Israeli military.' Thirty people were killed on Sunday while trying to get food, 19 of them in the north and 11 in the vicinity of an aid site run by the GHF in Rafah, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. CNN has reached out to the Israeli military for comment. Opinion polls in Israel have consistently shown a large majority in favor of ending the conflict in Gaza and securing the release of the hostages. A new survey by the Institute for National Security Studies found that 38% of Israeli Jews thought it was not possible to disarm Hamas; 57% thought it was possible. On Monday, hundreds of retired Israeli security officials urged Trump to pressure Netanyahu to end the war in Gaza. 'It is our professional judgement that Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat to Israel,' the former officials wrote in an open letter shared with the media on Monday. 'At first this war was a just war, a defensive war, but when we achieved all military objectives, this war ceased to be a just war,' said Ami Ayalon, former director of the Shin Bet security service. But far-right members of the government are pushing for the occupation of much of Gaza and measures to encourage its population to leave the territory altogether.

Mid East Info
6 hours ago
- Mid East Info
UAE Launches Global Youth Dialogue to Shape the Future of Sustainable Development Beyond 2030 - Middle East Business News and Information
HE Abdullah Nasser Lootah: The UAE views youth not just as beneficiaries of development, but as essential partners in shaping and leading efforts towards a sustainable future. The nation is committed to building a more inclusive and sustainable world by 2045, guided by proactive, forward-thinking strategies. Voices for 2045: Youth Shaping the Future session aimed to: Engage young participants of the 2025 High-Level Political Forum in envisioning the world beyond 2030; Gather youth aspirations and ideas for the 2045 XDGs Vision, a new global approach to comprehensive and sustainable development; Encourage youth change-makers to reflect, connect, and draw inspiration from innovative ideas for a more sustainable and inclusive future. New York, USA, August, 2025 — As part of the UAE delegation's participation in the United Nations Sustainable Development Forum 2025, organized by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the General Secretariat of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) hosted a dedicated youth session titled Voices for 2045: Youth Shaping the Future. Held at the Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations, the session brought together youth leaders and global change-makers, including members of the UN General Assembly's Major Group for Children and Youth. The session engaged young participants in envisioning the world beyond 2030 and empowered them to shape the future of sustainable development. It fostered dialogue on youth aspirations and ideas for the Extended Sustainable Development Goals (XDGs 2045), a global vision for inclusive growth introduced by the Secretariate of the National Committee on SDGs at the 2023 World Governments Summit. The platform enabled youth change-makers to share experiences, connect with peers, and exchange ideas for a more inclusive and resilient future. Youth Empowerment: His Excellency Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange and Chair of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, stated: 'The UAE firmly believes that youth are not merely beneficiaries of development pathways but essential partners in shaping and leading them towards the future He emphasized that the session reflects this philosophy by giving youth a transparent and effective platform to express their visions and challenges. HE Lootah added, 'Shaping the vision of the post-2030 sustainable development agenda requires open dialogue, collective participation, and bold ideas that keep pace with global changes. It is not enough to listen to youth as inspirational voices; their visions must be treated as essential inputs in policy-making and prioritization.' Three Main Themes: 40 participants from the UN Major Group for Children and Youth contributed diverse perspectives on the ambitious XDGs 2045 vision. Discussions focused on three core themes – empathy, passion, and action – underscoring the role of youth in building a better future. Participants responded to three key questions via an online survey, offering insights on their motivations, desired transformative changes, challenges faced, and proposed solutions to enhance youth contributions to sustainable development. Their responses underscored key priorities including empowering youth and ensuring their active involvement in policy and strategy development; strengthening international cooperation and promoting innovation; guaranteeing universal access to quality education and healthcare; and safeguarding the environment and natural resources for future generations. The session Voices for 2045: Youth Shaping the Future reflects the UAE's commitment to supporting global efforts to achieve the SDGs and to enhancing the role of youth as key partners in the development of a more inclusive and sustainable world by 2045. The United Nations High-Level Political Forum: The United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) is the UN's main platform for sustainable development matters. Since its establishment in 2012, it has played a central role in tracking and reviewing countries' progress toward implementing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. Delegations participating in the Forum conduct assessments of achievements made so far toward the SDGs, with in-depth reviews of five key goals: SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages; SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls; SDG 8: Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all; SDG 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources; and SDG 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.


Al-Ahram Weekly
11 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Under pressure, Netanyahu says Gaza war plan will be revised - War on Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that the military's Gaza war plan will be revised, amid mounting domestic pressure following the release of videos showing emaciated Israeli captives pleading for help and describing going days without food. Speaking after a week of public outcry, Netanyahu reiterated the government's three stated objectives: the destruction of Hamas, the return of Israeli captives, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. The Israeli PM also claimed that new orders for the military are imminent. On Monday, Netanyahu stated that he would be updating the Gaza war plan, still aiming to achieve his three objectives: the destruction of Hamas, the return of Israeli captives, and ensuring that Gaza is no longer a threat to Tel Aviv. However, domestic criticism continues to mount. On Monday, opposition leader Yair Lapid said: 'The Israeli government no longer knows why soldiers continue to die in Gaza. Only the Netanyahu government refuses to discuss the question of how the war will end. It has not presented any plan, any political vision.' Earlier in the day, 600 former Israeli security officials called on US President Donald Trump to "steer" Israel toward ending the war. 'Stop the war!' Meanwhile, around 1,000 Israeli artists, writers, and cultural figures signed a petition on Sunday titled Stop the Horror in Gaza, demanding an immediate ceasefire. The petition precedes a United Nations (UN) Security Council session scheduled for Monday to discuss the fate of Israeli captives still held in Gaza. The petition reads: 'Against our values and will, we find ourselves complicit in the horrific actions carried out by our government in Gaza: the killing of children and civilians, policies of starvation, mass displacement, and the senseless destruction of entire cities.' It garnered 974 named signatories, including prominent cultural figures, and 62 anonymous supporters. 'Horror on a historic scale is taking place before our eyes,' the statement continues. 'We have the responsibility as humans and as Israelis facing horrors happening in our name against a population located a few kilometres from us, in an impossible reality and terrible suffering.' It concludes: 'Do not issue illegal orders and do not obey them! Do not commit war crimes! Do not abandon the principles of human morality and the values of Judaism! Stop the war.' The petition is the latest in a growing wave of efforts urging Netanyahu's government to reach a ceasefire and captive exchange deal. Weekly demonstrations have continued in Tel Aviv and other cities, while many families of captives say they have no recourse but to speak out through statements, social media, and rallies. In response to public anger, Hamas's military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, said the captives were not being deliberately starved, but receive the same limited rations as fighters and civilians under siege. 'They (the captives) won't be offered special privileges while our people suffer starvation and siege,' the group said. A humanitarian catastrophe As pressure builds inside Israel, conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has warned that the Strip now faces the 'worst-case scenario of famine.' Earlier in the day, dozens of Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire while trying to access food. Another 16 were killed Sunday while waiting for aid. The IPC warned: 'People's access to food across Gaza is now alarmingly erratic and extremely perilous.' The famine reflects the wider humanitarian collapse triggered by Israel's 22-month genocidal war and systemic starvation policies, with the UN previously declaring Gaza 'the hungriest place on Earth,' and 100 percent of the population at risk of famine as of May. Since mid-May, the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has distributed limited flour rations to starving, aid-seeking Palestinians. However, GHF aid distribution points have been condemned by tens of international aid agencies and humanitarian organizations as a "death trap", with Israeli soldiers killing over 1,400 aid-seeking Palestinians at their centres since its inception. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link: