US says warships ‘defeated’ Houthi attacks on merchant ships
The US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) says its warships escorted three American-owned ships through the Gulf of Aden after successfully defeating a missile and drone attack by the Houthis.
“The reckless attacks resulted in no injuries and no damage to” the two destroyers or the three US operated and flagged merchant vessels, CENTCOM said in a statement, posted on X.
The Houthis earlier said they launched 16 ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as a drone, at a US destroyer and three military supply ships. The Yemeni rebel group says their attacks on ships linked to Israel and its allies are an act of solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐂𝐎𝐌 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐢 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐔. 𝐒. 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔. 𝐒.-𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐮𝐥𝐟 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐝𝐞𝐧 pic.twitter.com/7qPxwAdLkl
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 2, 2024
Egypt set to host conference on boosting aid to Gaza
The ministerial conference on enhancing the “humanitarian response to the Gaza Strip” is set to open in Cairo later today.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J Mohammed and ministers from countries in the Middle East and elsewhere are expected to attend the meeting, according to Egyptian media.
“The event will address the political, security, and humanitarian aspects of the situation in Gaza, with a particular emphasis on supporting UNRWA’s operations,” the Ahram Online newspaper reported.
UK pledges $24m in aid for Gaza
The United Kingdom promised to provide 19 million pounds ($24m) in funding for Gaza ahead of the humanitarian conference in Egypt later today.
Annelise Dodds, the UK’s international development minister, who is set to attend the conference, described the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic” and urged Israel to ensure “unimpeded aid access to Gaza”.
She added, “Gazans are in desperate need of food, and shelter with the onset of winter… I will meet counterparts both in Israel and the [occupied Palestinian territory] to discuss the need to remove these impediments, bring about a ceasefire, free the hostages and find a lasting solution to the conflict.”
Norway’s top diplomat pushes for European action to recognise Palestine
Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide says Norway is taking the lead in pushing to establish a Palestinian state.
He was attending a Palestine support event at the Oslo Cathedral, along with the king and the prime minister, before a Gaza solidarity rally.
