IRAN WAR UPDATES: Houthi rebels claim responsibility for missile attack on Israel
· Toronto Sun
Houthi rebels backed by Iran claimed they are responsible for a Saturday missile attack on Israel.
Houthi spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said in a statement that they fired a barrage of ballistic missiles targeting what he described as “sensitive Israeli military sites” in southern Israel.
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Israel’s military said it had intercepted a missile earlier in the day.
The attack followed a vague statement made by Saree on Friday that the Houthi rebels would join the war.
Saturday’s missile attack was the first time Israel has faced fire from Yemen since the start of the conflict, which now marks its first month.
Here’s the latest on what’s going on Saturday in the Israel-U.S. war against Iran:
Iran will allow more Pakistani ships through Strait of Hormuz
The Foreign minister of Pakistan said Iran has agreed to allow 20 additional Pakistani-flagged ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on X, Ishaq Dar said two Pakistani ships would cross the strategic waterway daily under the arrangement.
“This is a welcome and constructive gesture by Iran and deserves appreciation,” Dar said. “It is a harbinger of peace and will help usher stability in the region.”
Dar hoped the move will mark a meaningful step toward de-escalation and would strengthen efforts for peace.
Hezbollah launches 250 projectiles at Israeli soldiers
Hezbollah has launched some 250 projectiles from Lebanon in the past 24 hours, said an Israeli military official.
The official said most of the projectiles were directed at Israeli soldiers operating in southern Lebanon.
Only 23 of the projectiles crossed the border into Israel.
Northern Israel has experienced constant sirens warning of projectiles from Hezbollah and Iran.
Israeli military said at least nine soldiers were injured, with two severely, from Hezbollah rockets in the last two days.
Death toll in Lebanon reaches 1,189
The Health Ministry in Beirut said Saturday the death toll in Lebanon has reached 1,189 after 47 people were killed over the past 24 hours.
The ministry said that 112 people were also wounded, bringing the total up to 3,427 since the latest Israel-Hezbollah war began on March 2.
First U.S. Marine Expeditionary Unit arrives in Middle East
A Navy ship carrying around 2,500 Marines has arrived in the Middle East, the U.S. Central Command announced Saturday.
The USS Tripoli, as well as elements from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit that are aboard, are based in Japan.
They were conducting exercises around Taiwan when it was ordered to the Middle East almost two weeks ago.
U.S. Central Command said that in addition to the Marines, the Tripoli also brings transport and strike fighter aircraft, as well as amphibious assault assets to the region.
The USS Boxer and two other ships, along with another Marine Expeditionary Unit, have also been ordered to the region from San Diego, Calif.
Germany’s Merz criticizes Trump’s approach to Iran war
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for his course of action in the Iran conflict, according to the dpa news agency.
“What Trump is doing right now is not de-escalation and an attempt to reach a peaceful solution, but a massive escalation with an uncertain outcome,” Merz said late Friday.
“These are escalations that are threatening,” he added. “Not only for those directly affected, but for all of us.”
Merz also expressed doubt that the current leadership in Iran can be overthrown by the war.
“Is regime change really the goal?” he asked. “If that is the goal, I don’t think they will achieve it. That has usually gone wrong,” said Mertz.
Houthis claim responsibility for missile attack on Israel
The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for a missile attack on Israel.
Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a military spokesperson for the Houthis, made the claim that was aired by the rebels’ Al-Masirah satellite television.
The Israeli military said it intercepted the missile.
The attack came hours after Saree signalled that the Houthis would join the war in a vague statement on Friday.
He said the rebels fired a barrage of ballistic missiles targeting what he described as “sensitive Israeli military sites” in southern Israel.
— With files from The Associated Press