UN chief condemns escalation between Israel, Houthis; urges restraint

WASHINGTON

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday condemned the recent military escalation between Israel and Yemen's Houthi group, warning of the growing threat to regional stability and civilian lives.

Guterres "reminds all parties of their obligations to ensure that civilians are respected and protected at all times, in accordance with international law," his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

His remarks came after the Houthis struck the Israeli city of Eilat with a drone, reportedly resulting in 20 people injured, and Israel conducted airstrikes on Sanaa, which reportedly killed at least nine people, including children, and injured over 150 others.

Guterres remains "deeply troubled" about the risk of further escalation in the region and continues to urge all to exercise utmost restraint, Dujarric said.

The Houthis and Israel have exchanged attacks in the past months amid rising tension over Tel Aviv’s ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, where nearly 66,000 people have been killed since October 2023.