The U.S. President's Middle East envoy stated that President Trump's decision to launch a large-scale attack on the Houthi rebels in Yemen should be seen as a warning to Hamas, indicating that the U.S. has limited "tolerance" for delays in extending the Gaza ceasefire agreement. This attack is a response to the Houthi's aggressive actions against international shipping in the Red Sea, showcasing a firm stance against disruptive regional activities.
Read Also...:
Columbine survivor's death from health problems related to 1999 school shooting ruled a homicide
03-17, 2025
Gene Hackman's estate asks court to block release of death investigation records
03-17, 2025
Gene-edited 'woolly' mice a step towards bringing back the extinct woolly mammoth
03-17, 2025
Police are seeking person who set a man on fire near Times Square
03-17, 2025Reports indicate that at least 31 people were killed in the attacks across Yemen. This marks the largest military operation ordered by President Trump since his return to the Oval Office, demonstrating a renewed commitment to addressing regional security threats. The Houthis previously claimed that their attacks were in retaliation for Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. Last week, they also vowed to resume attacks on Israeli ships if the Netanyahu government did not lift the aid blockade on the war-torn Gaza Strip, further escalating tensions in the region.
U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff stated that Hamas should take note of the U.S. decision to strike Yemen, as negotiations regarding the future of the Gaza ceasefire appear to be stalled. "What happened to the Houthis yesterday, and our strikes, should inform Hamas about where we stand on terrorism and our tolerance for terrorist acts," Witkoff said in an interview on CNN Sunday morning. "I would encourage Hamas to take a more sensible approach than they have been taking," indicating a need for Hamas to reconsider their negotiating position.
Hamas condemned the attacks on the Houthis. Previously, Hamas had proposed releasing American-Israeli dual-national hostage Edan Alexander, as well as the remains of four dual-national hostages who died in captivity in Gaza. In exchange, Hamas demanded the release of more Palestinian prisoners and detainees held in Israeli jails, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza-Egypt border, lifting the aid blockade on the Gaza Strip. Hamas also sought immediate negotiations on the second phase of a ceasefire agreement, laying the groundwork for a lasting peace in Gaza, highlighting their commitment to a comprehensive resolution.
Witkoff stated that "Hamas's proposal is unacceptable." He revealed that he had spent hours in talks in Doha, the capital of Qatar, last week discussing another plan. "We had a very positive conversation there – I think a transformative conversation, but Hamas's response has been disappointing." Witkoff said, "We spent a lot of time discussing a ‘bridging’ proposal that would have affected the release of five living hostages, including Edan Alexander, and, by the way, a large number of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, which would have been a wonderful thing for those Palestinian families. I thought it was compelling." But he said Hamas rejected the idea and came back with their counterproposal. "I'm not going to get into the specifics of what made it unacceptable, but it was completely unacceptable," he said. "I think Hamas had an opportunity, and that opportunity is quickly closing," indicating a dwindling window for a negotiated settlement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held talks late Saturday night with the country's negotiating team. His office said in a statement that he had "directed the negotiating team to prepare to continue negotiations in accordance with the mediators' response to Witkoff's proposal for the immediate release of 11 living hostages and half of the deceased hostages." Hamas rejected the proposal, prompting retaliatory action from Israel, preventing all aid from entering Gaza – which Hamas called a "war crime." While the ceasefire agreement remains in effect, the Gaza Health Ministry said at least 14 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks over the weekend. The Israel Defense Forces claimed they struck "terrorists" who threatened their forces and planted bombs in the Gaza Strip, including militants disguised as journalists. The Gaza Health Ministry disputed this, highlighting the ongoing conflict and differing narratives.
Following the attacks on the Houthis, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a warning to Iran, the group's main backer, to stop supporting the rebels. "If you do, be careful, because the United States will hold you fully accountable, and we won't be nice!" he posted on his Truth Social platform. U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz was asked if that meant the White House would order direct military strikes against Iran. "All options are always on the table for the president," he told ABC. "But Iran needs to hear him loud and clear – this is completely unacceptable, and it has to stop. The support that they're providing to the Houthis, just like they support Hezbollah, the Iraqi militias, Hamas and other organizations," underscoring the U.S.'s broad concerns about Iranian influence.
Waltz stated that the weekend's strikes were different from those ordered by Trump's predecessors. "These were not the kind of sporadic, back-and-forth strikes that ultimately proved ineffective," he said. "This was an overwhelming response that actually targeted multiple Houthi leaders and took them out." The head of Iran's Revolutionary Guard retorted Trump's accusations, saying that Tehran was directing the Houthis' operations and policies in the Red Sea. "We have always declared, and today I declare as a representative of the Revolutionary Guard, that the Yemenis are a free and independent nation in their own land with an independent national policy," General Hossein Salami said. "[The Houthis], as representatives of the Yemeni people, make their own strategic and operational decisions. The Islamic Republic has no role in the national or operational policy-making of any resistance front." General Salami also vowed to respond to any attack on Iran. "If any threat becomes a reality, we will respond with a tough, decisive and destructive response," further escalating tensions and highlighting the potential for wider conflict.
Since returning to the White House, Trump has imposed more sanctions on Tehran as he has resumed what he calls a "maximum pressure" campaign on the country. In 2015, during his first term, he withdrew from a major nuclear agreement signed by world powers and imposed hundreds of crippling sanctions on Tehran. But despite his increased pressure, Trump has also kept the door open to diplomacy, telling reporters, "I want Iran to be a great and successful nation, but one that can't have nuclear weapons," indicating a desire for a resolution through both pressure and negotiation.
