Yemen rebels, Hamas discuss 'expanding confrontations' with Israel

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels discussed "expanding confrontations and encircling" Israel in a meeting in Lebanon with Hamas and other Palestinian factions, a Houthi official told AFP on Saturday.

Houthi attacks on Red Sea ships since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict have disrupted global trade, actions the rebels say are in solidarity with the Palestinians.

Representatives from Hamas, the Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine met last week with the Houthis in Beirut, the official said on condition of anonymity.

Palestinian sources on Friday told AFP that the meeting had taken place, saying the representatives discussed "mechanisms to coordinate their actions of resistance" for the "next stage" of the war in Gaza.