EU to launch a Red Sea naval mission within 3 weeks

An oil tanker on fire after a rebel missile attack. File pic/X

The European Union plans to launch a naval mission in the Red Sea within three weeks to help defend cargo ships against attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen that are hampering trade and driving up prices, the bloc's top diplomat said Wednesday.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said he wants the mission to be up and running by February 17. Officials say that seven EU countries are ready to provide ships or planes. Belgium has already committed to send a frigate. Germany is expected to do the same.

Last week, US and British forces bombed targets in eight locations used by Houthis. It was the second round of coordinated strikes.

10 militants arrested in Gaza school raid

Israeli soldiers raided a school in northern Gaza where they arrested ten Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists, the Israel Defense Forces said on Wednesday morning. In addition, soldiers also found five rockets ready to launch in the area. The rockets and their launchers were destroyed. In central Gaza, soldiers eliminated ten Palestinian terrorists, then eliminated several others spotted in the area.

10K labourers from India to reach Israel

With Israel's construction sector suffering a severe manpower crisis post the conflict with Hamas, some 10,000 workers from India are to make their way there starting next week, industry sources said. The workers will reach in batches of 700 to 1,000 a week. Israel has banned the entry of Palestinian workers while thousands other foreign workers have left the country.

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