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Published 05/31/2024Published May 31, 2024last updated 05/31/2024last updated May 31, 2024Israel has confirmed its troops are active in central Rafah despite diplomatic pushback. Meanwhile, Houthi rebels have claimed "precise and direct" hits at a US aircraft carrier. DW has the latest.
https://p.dw.com/p/4gVZt
Israel has largely shrugged off pressure from the US and others, and continued to pursue its Rafah offensiveImage: AFP via Getty ImagesWhat you need to know
- The IDF reported its troops finding Hamas weapons in central Rafah
- Houthi rebels in Yemen claim to have attacked US aircraft carrier Eisenhower
- French officials deny Israel a place at Eurosatory arms fair
Here is a roundup of the latest developments from the Israel-Hamas war and the wider Middle East region on Friday, May 31
05/31/2024May 31, 2024
Houthi rebels claim attack on US aircraft carrier Eisenhower
After the US and the UK targeted Houthi rebel forces overnight, the Iran-backed militia threaten to escalate its attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
"The American-British aggression will not prevent us from continuing our military operations," Houthi official Mohammed al-Bukhaiti said on X, formerly Twitter, vowing to "meet escalation with escalation."
The Western airstrikes killed at least 16 civilians, according to the militia. On Friday, the faction said they retaliated by firing missiles at the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier which had been deployed to beef up naval security in the region.
The Houthi militia claimed its missiles scored "precise and direct" hits on the US vessel.
A US defense official, however, told the Reuters news agency they were not aware of any attack against the Eisenhower.
https://p.dw.com/p/4gVaH
Skip next section Israeli forces say they found Hamas weapons in central Rafah05/31/2024May 31, 2024
Israeli forces say they found Hamas weapons in central Rafah
IDF soldiers are operating in the center of the Gaza city of Rafah, Israeli officials confirmed on Friday.
The message comes after many Israeli allies, including the US, urged Israel to forego the attack on the city on humanitarian grounds.
A statement by the Israeli military said its forces discovered Hamas rocket launches and tunnels in the center of the city.
Israeli tanks were reported in various parts of Rafah earlier this week.
In the months following the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, more than a million displaced Palestinians fled to Rafah, seeking refuge from fighting and shelling in other parts of Gaza.
US President Joe Biden recently threatened to limit weapons supplies to Israel if its forces move into "population centers" where many civilians are believed to still be hiding.
Despite international pressure Israel moved forward on its Rafah offensive, claiming they were trying to defeat Hamas and reach Israeli hostages in the city.
On Wednesday, White House spokesman John Kirby had said Israeli actions did not amount to a "major ground operation" and therefore did not cross any red lines for Washington.
Israeli forces push into Rafah as attacks intensify
https://p.dw.com/p/4gVaI
