But after talks with Israeli officials Monday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said, “This is Israel’s operation. The war has killed more than 19,000 Palestinians and demolished much of the north into a moonscape. REGIONAL TENSIONSYemen’s Houthi rebels continued attacks on shipping in the Red Sea in a campaign that has prompted a growing list of companies to halt their operations in the major trade route. The latest company was oil and natural gas giant BP, which said Monday it was suspending shipments through the Red Sea. Some of the countries will conduct joint patrols while others will provide intelligence support in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Source: The Nation December 19, 2023 03:57 UTC