In the latest development of the ongoing conflict in Yemen, U.S. fighter jets conducted airstrikes on Houthi rebel sites for the sixth time on Friday. The strikes targeted anti-ship missile launchers that were reportedly prepared to be fired, according to an anonymous U.S. official familiar with the operation.

The Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran, have claimed responsibility for several attacks on global shipping in the Red Sea corridor. They argue that these actions are in response to Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which has escalated tensions across the Middle East in recent months.

According to Gaza's Health Ministry, the war in Gaza has resulted in nearly 25,000 Palestinian deaths, making it one of the deadliest and most destructive military campaigns in recent history. Furthermore, the United Nations estimates that over half a million people in Gaza, which accounts for a quarter of the population, are currently suffering from extreme food shortages.

Meanwhile, in Israel, the conflict sparked by a Hamas attack on October 7 has claimed the lives of around 1,200 people. Additionally, more than 250 individuals were taken hostage during the incident, with over 100 hostages still believed to be held captive in Gaza.

As the situation continues to unfold, tensions remain high in the Middle East. Rifts among top Israeli officials have emerged over the handling of the war against Hamas in Gaza. Furthermore, Israel reportedly canceled a preemptive strike against Hezbollah at the beginning of the hostilities in Gaza, as disclosed by a top Israeli official.

In response to the escalating conflict, the United States is reshuffling its warships in the Mediterranean in order to prepare for a longer involvement in the region.

Furthermore, the turmoil has spilled over into the sports world, with another Turkish soccer club ending its contract with an Israeli player due to his social media posts about the Gaza hostages.

On a more positive note, the Palestinian telecoms provider, Paltel, has announced that communication services in Gaza are gradually being restored after an eight-day outage, the longest experienced during the war. However, Paltel noted that services remain basic at this time.

Amidst the ongoing crisis, the father of an Israeli hostage held in Gaza has begun a hunger strike outside the residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Eli Shtivi, the father of 28-year-old Idan Shtivi who was kidnapped during a music festival, is protesting the government's lack of visible progress on a new hostage deal. Shtivi plans to camp outside Netanyahu's vacation home until he meets with the prime minister, and he will only consume a quarter of a pita bread each day, mirroring the reported diet of hostages in Gaza. Shtivi's action reflects the frustration felt by hostage families as the crisis continues without resolution.

As the conflict in Yemen and Gaza continues to unfold, the international community remains concerned about the escalating violence and its impact on the region.