Did Gaza War Derail Imminent Yemeni Peace Deal?

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell
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Did Gaza War Derail Imminent Yemeni Peace Deal?

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell

Joseph Borrell, the European Union's top diplomat for foreign affairs and security, appeared unsure when asked about dealing with Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea and what actions can be taken to counter this threat.

In response to a question from Asharq Al-Awsat during a press briefing in Riyadh on Tuesday, Borrell discussed whether recent peace efforts in Yemen could change the Houthi group’s behavior and its threat to international navigation.

He viewed the stalled peace process in Yemen as a side effect of the Gaza conflict, which postponed the announcement of a peace agreement that was planned months ago.

Before the Gaza conflict, UN envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg suggested for Borell to consider visiting Aden in the next two months for a potential agreement.

The Gaza conflict changed plans, revealed the EU’s top diplomat, adding that Yemen’s peace was near, but not anymore.

Borrell highlighted Houthi attacks on Red Sea ships as a significant regional problem.

He stressed the need for an EU mission to protect navigation.

Borell noted that the Houthi attacks threaten more than just Israel.

British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps described a recent assault as “the largest attack by the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea to date.”

The Pentagon had announced that US and British forces have downed 18 explosive drones, two cruise missiles, and a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis towards international shipping routes in the southern Red Sea.

Grundberg had held talks in Oman and Riyadh to shape a peace plan for Yemen.

The discussions centered on commitments made by Yemeni parties with mediation from Saudi Arabia and Oman.

Grundberg also met with the leader of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), Rashad Al-Alimi, in Riyadh.

They discussed local developments and international pressures to encourage Houthi militias to engage in peace efforts, alleviate the people's suffering, and restore legitimate institutions.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Grundberg outlined the peace plan, including a nationwide ceasefire, reopening roads, paying public sector salaries, resuming oil exports, easing restrictions on Sanaa airport and Hodeidah port, releasing conflict-related detainees, and preparing for an inclusive political process under UN guidance.

The parties also pledged the departure of non-Yemeni forces, reconstruction efforts, and commitment to a comprehensive and lasting political solution.



Israel Pounds Central Beirut, Suburbs after Major Evacuation Warnings

A damaged building is pictured through the wreckage of a vehicle, in the aftermath of Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, Lebanon November 26, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammed Yassin
A damaged building is pictured through the wreckage of a vehicle, in the aftermath of Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, Lebanon November 26, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammed Yassin
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Israel Pounds Central Beirut, Suburbs after Major Evacuation Warnings

A damaged building is pictured through the wreckage of a vehicle, in the aftermath of Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, Lebanon November 26, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammed Yassin
A damaged building is pictured through the wreckage of a vehicle, in the aftermath of Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, Lebanon November 26, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammed Yassin

Israel mounted waves of pounding airstrikes in Beirut on Tuesday as its security cabinet discussed a ceasefire deal in Lebanon with its Hezbollah foes that could take effect as soon as Wednesday.

A senior Israeli official and Lebanese caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib appeared optimistic a deal could be reached, clearing the way for an end to a conflict that has killed thousands of people since it was ignited by the Gaza war last year.

Despite the possibility of an imminent diplomatic breakthrough, hostilities raged as Israel sharply ramped up its campaign of air strikes in Beirut and other parts of Lebanon, with health authorities reporting at least 18 killed.

Israeli warplanes launched repeated strikes across Beirut throughout Tuesday, mostly in the southern suburbs that are a stronghold for Iran-backed Hezbollah.

A single cluster of strikes in Beirut that Israel's military said included attacks on 20 targets in just 120 seconds killed at least seven people and injured 37, Lebanon's health ministry said.

Israel also gave advance notice for the first time of strikes in the central Beirut area, a significant escalation of its campaign in the capital that sparked panic among residents with some fleeing north.

Strikes also targeted Tyre, in the south, and Baalbek, in the east.

Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said the air force was conducting a "widespread attack" on Hezbollah targets across the city.

Hezbollah has kept up rocket fire into Israel and has previously said it would respond to attacks on central Beirut by firing rockets at Tel Aviv. Sirens sounded in northern Israel and the Israeli military said five projectiles were identified coming from Lebanon.

Hezbollah launched some 250 rockets on Sunday in one of its heaviest barrages yet. The northern Israeli city of Nahariya came under more rocket fire overnight.

‘Dangerous hours’

A Hezbollah parliament member in Lebanon, Hassan Fadlallah, said the country faced "dangerous, sensitive hours" during the wait for a possible ceasefire announcement.

With Israel's security cabinet meeting to discuss the deal, which a senior Israeli official had said was likely to be approved, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he would speak on Tuesday evening at 8 pm (1800 GMT). A government official said the cabinet meeting had started.

Israeli approval of the deal would pave the way for a ceasefire declaration by US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, four senior Lebanese sources told Reuters on Monday.

The ceasefire could come into effect on Wednesday morning, triggering a 60-day truce, a Western diplomat said.

However, there was no indication that a truce in Lebanon would hasten a ceasefire and hostage-release deal in devastated Gaza, where Israel is battling Palestinian group Hamas.

The agreement requires Israeli troops to withdraw from south Lebanon and Lebanon's army to deploy in the region, officials say. Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the border south of the Litani River.

Bou Habib said the Lebanese army would be ready to have at least 5,000 troops deployed in southern Lebanon as Israeli troops withdraw, and that the United States could play a role in rebuilding infrastructure destroyed by Israeli strikes.

Israel demands effective UN enforcement of an eventual ceasefire with Lebanon and will show "zero tolerance" toward any infraction, Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday.