US sinks Houthi boats as fears grow that war in Gaza could escalate into wider conflict. Here's the latest

 

Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have stepped up their attacks in the Red Sea, which they say are revenge against Israel for its military campaign in Gaza.

There are fears that the attacks could escalate Israel’s war against Hamas into a wider regional conflict.

On Sunday, the US sunk three Houthi boats and killed those aboard after coming under fire, marking the first occasion since tensions broke out earlier this year that the US has killed members of the rebel group.

The US said Sunday that it has no desire to enter a wider war, but that it will act in its own self-defense. The helicopters had been responding to a distress call from a merchant ship — which the Houthis had fired on and attempted to board — when the rebels turned their guns on the US aircraft, according to US Central Command.

If you're just joining us, here are other headlines from today:

· Genocide allegations: The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected South Africa’s claim that the country is committing genocide in its war against Hamas. Netanyahu's comments came after South Africa filed an application with the International Court of Justice Friday to begin proceedings over the genocide allegations. The prime minister called the claims "false" and accused South Africa of ignoring other world conflicts.

·   Netanyahu won't resign: The prime minister also said Sunday that he would not resign from office as criticism that he failed to anticipate the October 7 attacks by Hamas grows. Winds have been shifting against the prime minister as Israel’s war in Gaza drags and as Hamas continues to hold hostages.

· Shots fired near aid convoy: The Israel Defense Forces have confirmed they fired shots near a UN convoy on Thursday. The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza told CNN earlier this week that Israeli soldiers had fired at its convoy while it was traveling along a route designated by the Israeli army. The IDF said its troops had fired warning shots due to a miscommunication, and that it would take steps to prevent such an incident from happening again. No one was wounded but a vehicle was damaged by the fire.

·  Palestinian leader condemns displacement: On the 59th anniversary of the founding of the Fatah party, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas says Palestinian people will not accept displacement from their land, the news agency Wafa reported Sunday. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are internally displaced as Israel carries out a ground offensive in Gaza.

·  Palestinians struggle to find food: Palestinians displaced inside Gaza have described cramped living conditions, sky-high prices for food, children going hungry and poor sanitation. CNN spoke by phone with several people trying to survive in Rafah, in the south, which tens of thousands have fled to despite it already being the most densely populated part of Gaza.

Copas dari https://edition.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news-12-31-23/index.html

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