What we know
- For the second time, the Biden administration has bypassed Congress to approve weapons sales to Israel. The $147.5 million sale includes fuzes, chargers and primers for the nearly 14,000 rounds of 155mm shells Israel purchased earlier this month.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Israelis directly during a speech Saturday, saying that "more time is needed" in order to accomplish the country's goals of war as its military fights on complex battlegrounds. Fighting in Gaza is expected to go on for "many more months," he said.
- An estimated 150,000 Palestinians have fled central Gaza, where Israeli artillery and warplanes have been pounding the urban refugee camps of Bureij, Nuseirat and Maghazi.
- Rafah, on the southern border with Egypt, has become the most densely-populated city in Gaza as hundreds of thousands of people seek refuge there. The vast majority of the enclave's 2.2 million people are displaced, and the U.N. has warned that more than half a million people face starvation.
- The U.N. warned yesterday of the danger of "further spillover" of the war into the region, which could bring "devastating consequences." It cited ongoing hostilities in the occupied West Bank and the Lebanon border, and urged all parties to "exercise maximum restraint."
- More than 21,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Over 55,000 have been injured, and thousands are missing and presumed dead under the rubble.
- Israeli military officials say 167 soldiers have been killed during the country's ground invasion in Gaza, which came after 1,200 people were killed and about 240 hostages were seized after Hamas launched multipronged attacks on Israel on Oct. 7.
- NBC News’ Jay Gray, Josh Lederman and Ali Arouzi are reporting from the region.
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Houthis show no sign of ending ‘reckless’ Red Sea attacks, U.S. commander says
CHRISTIANSTED, U.S. Virgin Islands — Yemen’s Houthi rebels show no signs of ending their “reckless” attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, the top commander of U.S. naval forces in the Middle East said Saturday, even as more nations join the international maritime mission to protect vessels in the vital waterway and trade traffic begins to pick up.
Since Operation Prosperity Guardian was announced just over 10 days ago, 1,200 merchant ships have traveled through the Red Sea region, and none has been hit by drone or missile strikes, Vice Adm. Brad Cooper said in an Associated Press interview.
He said additional countries are expected to sign on. Denmark was the latest, announcing Friday it plans to send a frigate to the mission that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced during a visit to Bahrain, where the Navy’s 5th Fleet is based, saying that “this is an international challenge that demands collective action.”
The Iran-backed Houthis say their attacks are aimed at Israel-linked ships in an effort to stop the Israeli offensive in Gaza.
The narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait connects the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea and then the Suez Canal. The crucial trade route links markets in Asia and Europe. The seriousness of the attacks, several of which have damaged vessels, led multiple shipping companies to order their vessels to hold in place and not enter the strait until the security situation improved. Some major shippers were sending their ships around Africa and the Cape of Good Hope, adding time and costs to the journeys.
Currently there are five warships from the United States, France, and the United Kingdom patrolling the waters of the southern Red Sea and the western Gulf of Aden, said Cooper, who heads the 5th Fleet. Since the operation started, the ships have shot down a total of 17 drones and four anti-ship ballistic missiles, he said.
Two days ago, the USS Mason, a Navy destroyer, downed a drone and anti-ship ballistic missile that were fired by the Houthis, according to U.S. Central Command. The U.S. said the 22nd attack on international shipping by the Houthis since Oct. 19 caused no damage to any of the 18 ships in the area or any reported injuries.
“I expect in the coming weeks we’re going to get additional countries,” Cooper said, noting Denmark’s recent announcement.
The U.S. has said that more than 20 nations are participating, but a number of those nations have not acknowledged it publicly.
Cooper said the coalition is in direct communication with commercial ships to provide guidance on “maneuvering and the best practices to avoid being attacked,” and working closely with the shipping industry to coordinate security.
An international task force had been set up in April 2022 to improve maritime security in the region. But Cooper said Operation Prosperity Guardian has more ships and a persistent presence to assist vessels.
Since the operation started, the Houthis have stepped up their use of anti-ship ballistic missiles, Cooper said. “We are cleareyed that the Houthi reckless attacks will likely continue,” he said.
The Houthis seized Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, in 2014, launching a grinding war against a Saudi-led coalition that sought to restore the government. The militants have sporadically targeted ships in the region, but the attacks increased since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
The Houthi threatened to attack any vessel they believe is either going to or coming from Israel. That has escalated to apparently any vessel, with container ships and oil tankers flagged to countries such as Norway and Liberia being attacked or drawing missile fire.
The shipping company Maersk had announced earlier that it had decided to re-route its ships that have been paused for days outside the strait and Red Sea, and send them around Africa instead. Maersk announced Dec. 25 that it was going to resume sending ships through the strait, citing the operation. Cooper said another shipping company had also resumed using the route.
“Commerce is definitely flowing,” Cooper said.
A Palestinian mother who, along with thousands of others, is seeking shelter in a makeshift tent camp in Rafah, said she has been unable to provide for her children since her husband was arrested 55 days ago.
"I want to feed the girls and their father is not here," said Amina Shamlakh Al-Rafi. "He used to provide everything for them."
U.S. destroyer downs 2 missiles fired from Houthi-controlled areas after container ship struck
A U.S. destroyer that came to the aid of a container ship in the Southern Red Sea shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, U.S. Central Command said.
The USS Gravely, a guided-missile destroyer, responded to the area tonight after container ship Maersk Hangzhou reported a missile struck the vessel but did not cause injuries or affect its seaworthiness, U.S. Central Command said in a statement.
USS Laboon, a U.S. Navy destroyer, joined the response, it said, and two missiles were fired from Houthi-controlled areas, Central Command said.
Central Command said the incident comprised the 23rd "illegal attack" by Houthis on international shipping in the region since Nov. 19.
Houthis stepped up attacks on shipping traffic in the Red Sea in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war.
The Shiite rebels, which have links to Iran, are amid a civil war in Yemen. The Biden administration has been under pressure to re-designate the Houthis as a "terrorist organization," as the U.S. has moved to squeeze their funds through sanctions.
Netanyahu says he does not want to raise 'exaggerated expectations' about new hostage deal progress
Families of hostages and their supporters have demanded that the government prioritize hostage releases over other war objectives, and have staged large protests every weekend, including today.
Egypt, one of the mediators between Israel and Hamas, has proposed a multistage plan that would kick off with a swap of hostages for prisoners, accompanied by a temporary cease-fire — along the lines of an exchange during a weeklong truce in November.
Hamas insists the war must end before it will discuss hostage releases. Osama Hamdan, a senior Hamas official in Beirut, reiterated that position today, but also told The Associated Press that “we have not given any final answer so far” to the Egyptian proposal.
Asked about reports of possible progress toward a deal, Netanyahu said today that “we see a possibility, maybe, for movement” but that he did not want to raise “exaggerated expectations.”
Soldier who was held hostage prays friends still in captivity have hope
Ori Megidish, a soldier who was kidnapped on Oct. 7 and rescued weeks later by Israeli forces, says she hopes her friends who are still being held hostage continue to hold out hope for their safe return.
Megidish served as an observer and monitor at kibbutz Nahal Oz, where she said many were taken captive while still wearing their pajamas. According to a video statement published by the IDF, Megidish recalled that many of her friends were killed in the Oct. 7 attack.
"Despite the pain, loneliness and fear I felt when I was there, I had the hope that they would rescue me," Megidish said. "I pray that my friends who are still in captivity have the same hope."
Hezbollah and Iran will suffer blows if war escalates, Netanyahu warns
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning to Hezbollah, and its benefactors in Iran, if the group's attacks on northern Israel continue as the IDF keep up with fights on multiple fronts.
"If Hezbollah expands the war — it will receive blows it never dreamed of, and so will Iran," Netanyahu said during a news conference today. "We will act in any way until we restore security to the residents of the north."
The prime minister addressed Israelis directly during his speech, saying that "more time is needed" in order to accomplish the country's goals of war as its military fights on complex battlegrounds. Fighting in Gaza is expected to go on for "many more months."
"In addition to the ongoing activity in the north of the Gaza Strip, and at the same time as the battles in Khan Younis in the south of the Gaza Strip, our forces are attacking the terrorists in the center of the Gaza Strip," Netanyahu said.
"They fight with power and new methods, above ground and below ground."
40% of Gaza at risk of famine, U.N. director says
Tom White, UNRWA's director in Gaza, said that at least 40% of the population in Gaza Strip are at risk of famine.
In a post on X, White shared a clip where a large swath of people were desperately surrounding an aid convoy and jumping onto trucks in Gaza City. UNICEF released a statement earlier this month noting that almost 1.2 million people "are experiencing emergency levels of acute food insecurity" and risk dying of starvation.
"More regular supplies needed — require safe and sustainable #humanitarian access everywhere including to the North of Gaza," White said.
Israel's foreign minister describes South Africa ICJ application as 'blood libel'
South Africa's filing of a genocide case against Israel at the International Criminal Court is "blood libel," Israel's foreign ministry said, adding that Israel is committed to international law in how it conducts war.
Israel's foreign ministry also accused South Africa of cooperating with Hamas, an organization that "is calling for the destruction of the State of Israel" in the same statement.
"South Africa’s claim lacks both a factual and a legal basis, and constitutes a despicable and contemptuous exploitation of the Court," the statement said.
According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, blood libel is a term used for the “false and maliciously perpetuated accusation that Jews have murdered non-Jews...in order to use their blood in rituals.”
The office for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa released a statement saying it was concerned over Israel's "indiscriminate use of force and forcible removal of inhabitants." The request made to the Hague by South Africa was that the court issue an order to Israel to "refrain from any acts that may constitute genocide or related crimes" under international law.
Faith leaders discuss finding common ground amid Gaza war
As the war in Gaza rages on, the U.S. has seen a rise in antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents.
A panel of faith leaders, including Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, Rabbi Dr. Barat Ellman and Dr. Hussein Rashid, join MSNBC’s Michael Steele to discuss how Americans can find common ground and ease tensions.
Hezbollah and IDF exchange fire across border
The IDF confirmed it hit a target in Bint Jbeil today, releasing a short satellite clip of the strike identifying its location.
The Israeli military described the strikes in Lebanon today as targeting "squads" of Hezbollah militants and operational infrastructure. Lebanese state news reported that the strike hit a home and caused damage to surrounding residences and vehicles.
One person was injured and transferred to a local hospital, according to the state news agency.
Hezbollah also reported that it attacked Israeli sites today, claiming to have caused casualties after targeting a "gathering" of Israeli soldiers. The IDF confirmed there were launches identified out of Lebanon, including at least one intercepted by the IDF Aerial Defense Array. No deaths or injuries were reported by the Israeli military.
