The United States announced Wednesday that it will put Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels back on a list of "terrorist" entities due to their repeated attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea, as Israel stepped up its strikes across the Gaza Strip.
"The United States will designate... the Houthis as a specially designated global terrorist," a senior US administration official told journalists, noting that the designation does not take effect for 30 days and that it could also be lifted "if the Houthis cease their attacks."
The Houthis say they are carrying out attacks on shipping in support of Palestinians in Gaza, where more than 24,400 people have been killed by Israel's bombardment.
Meanwhile, aid destined for Israeli hostages and Palestinian residents in the besieged Palestinian territory was arrived in Gaza after being delivered to Egypt earlier on Wednesday, according to a spokesperson for the Qatari foreign ministry.
The entry of aid into Gaza followed from a deal brokered by both Qatar and France.
A top Hamas official had announced new conditions Wednesday for delivering medicines to hostages held by the group in Gaza, insisting trucks carrying the drugs must not be inspected by Israel.