Thousands of Yemenis crowded the capital Sanaa Friday to express their support for the Iran-backed Huthi rebels, who say they will maintain pressure on Israel despite the imminent Gaza ceasefire.

The Middle East Forum, a conservative nonprofit focused on Islamic issues, has described Al-Husainy as “a radical anti-Semitic, pro-Hezbollah Shia imam” with “a significant history of

Analysis: Yemen is an escalating frontline in Israel's proxy war with Iran, but Tel Aviv may struggle to achieve a military triumph against the Houthis.

Israel’s government voted in favour of the truce after the country’s security cabinet, chaired by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, agreed to the ceasefire and hostage deal earlier on Friday. The vote is believed to have been 24 in favour and eight against early on Saturday morning local time.

Israel's Cabinet has approved the Gaza ceasefire deal that would pause the fighting and release dozens of hostages held by militants, along with Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. The approval came early on Saturday after a marathon session by the full Cabinet.

The U.S. on Friday imposed sanctions on a Yemen-based financial institution that Washington accused of financially supporting the Houthis, as President Joe Biden's administration sought to further pressure the militant group before Biden leaves office.

The Iranian-backed Houthi militia in Yemen poses a growing global threat, targeting trade, energy supplies, and international security. Armed by Iran, they exploit strategic waterways, disrupt shipping,

The Israeli security cabinet had earlier recommended to the government that it allow the Qatar, Egypt and US-mediated truce to go into effect on Sunday.

The Israeli security cabinet recommended the approval to the ceasefire deal in Gaza, although strikes have continue to kill scores in the Palestinian territory.

Iran is weaker and more vulnerable than it has been in decades, likely since its decadelong war with Iraq or even since the 1979 revolution. This weakness has reopened the debate about how the United States and its partners should approach the challenges posed by Iran.

The cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas announced on Jan. 15 took more than a year to reach and almost certainly will take much longer to fully realize than the four-plus months outlined in the framework.