An oil tanker caught fire in the Gulf of Aden after being hit by a missile fired by the Iran-backed Houthi rebel group on Friday.
The Houthis say they are retaliating for recent attacks on their infrastructure in Yemen by the US and UK militaries. Those attacks have been aimed at preventing the Houthis from disrupting global shipping in the region.
It all arises from Israel's ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza: the Houthis say their actions are aimed at pressuring Israel to stop its ground offensive and its widespread bombing of the Palestinian enclave.
The United States sent a destroyer, which itself had been the target of Houthi attacks on Friday, according to US Central Command, to respond to the commercial ship's distress call.
It's just the latest example of rising tensions in the Middle East, where world leaders are trying to contain the effects of the war in Gaza.
Here's what else you should know today:
Allegations against UN workers in Gaza: Israel's Foreign Ministry said it expects the United Nations' main aid agency in Gaza to carry out an urgent internal investigation after it fired staff members allegedly involved in the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. of 2023.
Israel has shared all the information it has about the 12 employees at the center of the shocking allegations with both the US and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). ), an Israeli official told CNN on Friday.
The UNRWA chief had previously promised to investigate the allegations. The accusations have jeopardized the group's ability to provide desperately needed humanitarian aid in the enclave.
Mounting pressure to release hostages: There are “no imminent developments” on a deal to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza, the United States says, even as it orchestrates a flurry of diplomatic efforts to reach a deal.
The White House Middle East coordinator concluded meetings in the region on Friday, while CIA Director Bill Burns will meet in the coming days with the intelligence chiefs of Israel and Egypt and the prime minister of Qatar. to discuss an agreement.
Meanwhile, Hamas released a heavily edited video showing three women hostages, in an apparent attempt to increase pressure on Israeli leaders.
Deteriorating conditions for Gaza medical workers: Vital medical services “have collapsed” at Nasser Hospital, the largest operating hospital in the Gaza Strip, according to Doctors Without Borders. Heavy fighting around the hospital has made it dangerous to resupply the medical center.
Less than half of Gaza's hospitals remain partially operational, the UN said Thursday. Those that remain open face shortages of staff, basic medical supplies, fuel, food and drinking water.
Today's ruling by the UN top court: The UN secretary general said he expects Israel to comply with today's order from the International Court of Justice, which called on the country to avoid genocide in Gaza but stopped short of calling for a ceasefire.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the ruling as a rejection of what he called “discrimination” against his country, while the Palestinian Authority and South Africa said it represented a victory for human rights.
