Yemen’s PLC Rejects Houthi Blackmail, Calls for ‘Firm’ Int’l Pressure on Militias

PLC deputy head Aidarous al-Zubaidi meets with Charge d’Affaires of the Indian Embassy in Yemen Ram Prasad in Riyadh on Monday. (Saba)
PLC deputy head Aidarous al-Zubaidi meets with Charge d’Affaires of the Indian Embassy in Yemen Ram Prasad in Riyadh on Monday. (Saba)
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Yemen’s PLC Rejects Houthi Blackmail, Calls for ‘Firm’ Int’l Pressure on Militias

PLC deputy head Aidarous al-Zubaidi meets with Charge d’Affaires of the Indian Embassy in Yemen Ram Prasad in Riyadh on Monday. (Saba)
PLC deputy head Aidarous al-Zubaidi meets with Charge d’Affaires of the Indian Embassy in Yemen Ram Prasad in Riyadh on Monday. (Saba)

Members of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) reiterated on Monday their rejection of the Iran-backed Houthi militias’ attempted political blackmail, calling on the international community to pressure them to accept peace.

According to official sources, PLC deputy head Aidarous al-Zubaidi discussed on Monday with Charge d’Affaires of the Indian Embassy in Yemen Ram Prasad the renewed military escalation and the militias’ intransigence and rejection of all international efforts to extend the ceasefire, which expired on October 2.

Zubaidi warned that the militias are dragging the country towards the abyss due to their intransigence and insistence on continuing the war against the Yemeni people strictly in pursuit of Iran’s agenda, he was reported as saying by the state news agency Saba.

Meanwhile, official sources said PLC member Othman Megali met in Riyadh on Monday with the Chargé d'Affaires of the Japanese embassy to discuss the developments in Yemen.

He said the Houthis are pursuing a foreign agenda and are “delusional in believing that military escalation and the rejection of the truce will yield gains through shedding the blood of the Yemeni people”.

“We reject this hostile behavior and refuse to succumb to pressure and blackmail,” he vowed.

“We will not accept any Houthi conditions and dictates that keep Yemen hostage to a militia that has rebelled against the state and international resolutions,” he stressed.

He called on the international community to “firmly” deal with the “terrorist” Houthis.

Moreover, Megali said the ceasefire “is non-existent on the ground”, accusing the militias of committing thousands of violations and pursuing military escalation.

“Everything the Houthis do is ordered by Iran and the weapons they brandish to terrorize the Yemenis are made by Iran,” he said, adding that the militias are trained on using the arms by experts from the Iran-backed Hezbollah party and Iran.



Israeli Military Recovers Body of a Hostage in Gaza, Is Examining Identity of a Second Body

Palestinians inspect damaged residential buildings where two Israeli hostages were reportedly held before being rescued during an operation by Israeli security forces in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Feb. 12, 2024. (AP)
Palestinians inspect damaged residential buildings where two Israeli hostages were reportedly held before being rescued during an operation by Israeli security forces in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Feb. 12, 2024. (AP)
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Israeli Military Recovers Body of a Hostage in Gaza, Is Examining Identity of a Second Body

Palestinians inspect damaged residential buildings where two Israeli hostages were reportedly held before being rescued during an operation by Israeli security forces in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Feb. 12, 2024. (AP)
Palestinians inspect damaged residential buildings where two Israeli hostages were reportedly held before being rescued during an operation by Israeli security forces in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Feb. 12, 2024. (AP)

The Israeli military said Wednesday that troops have recovered the body of a hostage held in Gaza and were examining whether another body recovered was also that of a captive.

Earlier, Israel's defense minister said that troops recovered the bodies of two hostages.

The military said the body of Yosef Al Zaydani was brought to Israel on Tuesday after being discovered in an underground tunnel near the southern Gaza city of Rafah. It said troops uncovered information about Al Zaydani's son Hamzah that "raised serious concerns for his life."

Military spokesman Col. Nadav Shoshani said the military was looking into the identity of a second set of remains recovered.

Al Zaydani and his son were taken captive during Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7, 2023, among 250 hostages snatched by the group during its cross-border raid.

Israel believes a third of the remaining 100 hostages are dead.

The body's recovery comes as Israel and Hamas are considering a ceasefire deal that would free the hostages and halt the fighting in Gaza.

However, Yosef and Hamzah Al Zaydani were believed to still be alive and their return could ramp up the pressure on Israel to move ahead on a deal.

Yosef Al Zaydani's name was on a list of 34 hostages shared by a Hamas official with The Associated Press that the group said were slated for release.

Many families of hostages say the continuation of the war in Gaza puts the lives of the remaining hostages at risk. They have demanded throughout the conflict that Israel reaches a deal with Hamas to free their loved ones.