The United Nations has called for restraint following another wave of escalation between Houthi rebels in Yemen and Israeli forces.
Noor, a 16-month-old toddler, is from the Lahj governorate in the southwest corner of Yemen. A UN-partner volunteer diagnosed her with severe malnutrition and her story became headline news when the UN relief chiefrecountedit to the Security Council during an impassioned briefing last week.
The ceasefire between the United States and Houthi rebels in Yemen provides an opportunity to revitalize the peace process in the Middle Eastern country, the UN Security Council heard on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, Israel launched airstrikes on Yemens main airport in the capital, Sanaa, destroying the last operational Yemenia Airways plane, according to media reports.
The attack came a day after the Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, fired missiles at Israel.
Fragile situation worsening
In Yemen, the rebels have been fighting with Government troops, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, for over a decade. But since the start of the war in Gaza they have been targeting Israel as well as commercial ships in the Red Sea, as an act of solidarity with Palestinians.
The ongoing military confrontation between the Houthis and Israel is exacerbating an already very fragile situation in Yemen and the broader region,saidUN Spokesperson Stphane Dujarric.
Attacks on civilian infrastructure, including Sanaa airport in Yemen and Ben Gurion Airport in Israel, are unacceptable.
He said the strike on Sanaa airport and the destruction of the civilian aircraftdeprives many Yemenis of a critical means to leave the country for medical, educational, family or religious regions, especially at a time when thousands of pilgrims are preparing for the Hajj.
De-escalation and dialogue
The Spokesman called on all stakeholders, including the Houthis, to de-escalate and exercise restraint, uphold their obligations under international law, and protect civilian infrastructure.
He also urged the warring parties to return to the intra-Yemeni dialogue, with the support of the region, as the only viable path toward lasting peace and security.
In related developments, the UN Special Envoy for Yemen concluded a visit to Omans capital Muscat on Wednesday, his office said ina statement.
Hans Grundberg met senior Omani officials, members of Ansar Allah leadership and representatives of the diplomatic community, including senior Iranian officials.
Discussions focused on the cessation of hostilities between the United States and Ansar Allah and the need to translate this into sustainable progress that benefits all Yemenisand includes guarantees for the region and international community, the statement said.
The ceasefire agreement was brokered by Oman and came into effect on 6 May following the resumption of deadly US airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.
Free detained personnel
Mr. Grundberg further addressed regional dynamics and the shared responsibility of all to support de-escalation and a UN-led political process for a durable and comprehensive resolution to the conflict in Yemen.
As the Houthis continue to arbitrarily detain scores of personnel from the UN, non-governmental organizations, civil society and diplomatic missions, the Special Envoy called for their immediate and unconditional release in all his engagements.
He stressed that their prolonged detention is not only unjustifiable but undermines the UNs and international communitys ability to provide humanitarian supportto millions of Yemenis, the statement said.
