Houthis Maintain Gaza Support Amid Escalating Aid Crisis

The Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen have pledged to continue supporting Palestinians in Gaza until Israeli aggression ceases and the siege is lifted, continuing missile attacks on Israel and targeting shipping routes. Meanwhile, humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza face significant challenges amid ongoing conflict, with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distributing hundreds of thousands of aid packages despite reports of violence near distribution sites and criticism that the aid system disproportionately serves certain populations. The World Food Programme has sufficient food supplies but cannot deliver them due to Israeli restrictions and security concerns, highlighting the dire situation of starving civilians. Palestinians in Gaza have condemned the US- and Israeli-backed aid mechanisms, describing them as ineffective and contributing to displacement and civilian deaths. The GHF defends its operations, asserting that it securely delivers aid despite allegations of exclusion and coercion, while the UN and other organizations refuse to collaborate with it due to concerns about selective distribution and militarization of aid. This complex interplay of military operations, humanitarian crises, and political tensions underscores the severe difficulties in addressing the needs of Gaza's population amid the ongoing conflict involving Israel, Iran, and allied groups.