The most important thing I’ve heard this morning is the American announcement of Operation Prosperity Guardian. This will provide protection for shipping against Houthi piracy and attacks. As usual, it’s a coalition involving US, UK, French, Dutch, German, and that the US 5th fleet aircraft carrier might lend teeth to the protective force. That might solve the problem.
It’s worth noting that the Chinese Navy has a small force (a destroyer, a frigate, and a support ship) that they call their 45th Fleet based in Djibouti (Where the US also has a base). That group, and its’ predecessor, the 44th Fleet (which just returned to China) have been escorting Chinese (and other) ships for several weeks. The Houthis have not tried to harm ships under Chinese escort. Perhaps Iranian-Chinese relations have something to do with that.
Israel is now providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, probably due to US pressure. Israel is also attempting to renew talks about hostage exchange via Qatar. Hamas is willing to talk, but only after there is a total cease-fire. Israel has already given up one of the ways to pressure Hamas (aid), and the US is pushing Israel to relax another (military activities) in order to protect ‘innocent civilians’. Without those activities, Hamas seems to have the upper hand in resuming talks. Hamas is also using psychological pressure. They released a clip showing three of the oldest hostages with a cynical caption saying “do not forget me”. If they were serious they would have released these elderly people already.
Israeli forces uncovered the largest tunnel yet found in Gaza. It’s big enough to drive a small truck through it. It’s also big enough to provide shelter from bombing for all the civilians in Rafah and Khan Yunis, including refugees from the north, and still have room to spare. How many civilians did they bring into the tunnels? You probably guessed. NONE.
Wetherhorn 