The United Nations has urged parties to abide by international law amid the rising tensions between Israel and Yemen's Houthi group, while also warning of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
The recent cross-attacks between Israel and the Houthis have led to heavy casualties and significant infrastructure damage.
At a UN Security Council meeting on Wednesday, Hans Grundberg, the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, noted that the tensions between Israel and the Houthis have pulled Yemen deeper into broader regional conflicts.
"Events in the recent weeks, however, have also served as stark reminders that Yemen is ensnared in the wider regional tensions. The attack carried out by Ansar Allah (Houthis) on Ben Gurion Airport on May 4 and the subsequent strikes by Israel on Hodeidah Port, Sanaa airport and other locations in response represent a dangerous escalation, and the threats and attacks regrettably continue. I renew my call for all parties to abide by their obligations under international law to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure," said Grundberg.
Tom Fletcher, UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, warned of the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Yemen.
"The humanitarian situation is deteriorating and those most in peril are the country's children. The numbers say it all. Half of Yemen's children, 2.3 million, are malnourished, [with] 600,000 of them severely so. Yemen's 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan is barely 9 percent funded -- less than half of what we received at the same time last year. And these shortfalls, of course, have very real consequences. Nearly 400 health facilities, including 64 hospitals, will stop operating, impacting nearly 7 million people," said Fletcher.
UN urges adherence to international law amid rising Israeli-Houthi tensions
UN urges adherence to international law amid rising Israeli-Houthi tensions
