Houthi rebels attacked King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh for a second time in two days, suspending operations and causing flight cancellations, amid escalating missile strikes by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis against Saudi Arabia; separate reports note Israeli strikes killed five Palestinians in Gaza and Palestinian President Abbas postponed legislative elections until September 11, 2027.
AI-generated summary
The Houthi rebel group in Yemen has conducted multiple attacks on Saudi airports amid a Saudi-led military offensive against the Houthis; Israeli strikes in Gaza have increased amid claims of Hamas rearming; Palestinian legislative elections have been postponed due to obstacles cited by President Abbas, with no national elections held since 2005-06 after Hamas seized control of Gaza.
The airport in the Saudi capital has been attacked a second time, two days after three Saudi citizens were killed at the same airport in a strike conducted by the Houthi rebel group.
Operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh have now been suspended according to the Saudi Civil Aviation Authority, who also stated an unknown number of people had been injured
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but it comes amid an escalation of missile strikes by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis against Saudi Arabia.
Multiple airport strikes
King Khalid International Airport has been targeted multiple times this week, since a Saudi-led coalition launched a major military offensive against Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the earlier attacks, including a strike on Wednesday that killed a Sudanese national.
On Thursday, at least three Saudi citizens, including a pilot, were killed in another attack at the airport according to the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation.
The Houthi group are yet to release a statement about Saturday's strike.
The Saudi government-run Center for International Communication, which oversees foreign media in the kingdom, did not respond to a request for comment.
The airport issued an alert telling passengers to check their flight status with airlines before heading to the airport.
At least 225 flights at the airport had been cancelled over the past 24 hours, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware.
On Saturday, flight-tracking site flightradar24 showed all flights to Riyadh had either been diverted or cancelled.
In Yemen, its Transport Ministry said the rebels attacked Aden International Airport with ballistic missiles and explosive-laden drones early on Wednesday, local time.
Fighting in Yemen between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces has escalated, with the Saudi-led coalition providing air support for government forces in an attempt to reverse recent Houthi gains along the Red Sea.
On Friday as he left the White House, US President Donald Trump was asked about the attacks on the Riyadh airport and told reporters, "It's not good" and "I'm not happy".
There has been no immediate sign of US military support to respond to the attacks.
Meanwhile, Saudi authorities warned the public this week that "filming, publishing or sharing information related to countering missiles and drones and their impact sites exposes you to legal liability".
Five dead in Gaza
Israeli strikes killed at least five Palestinians in the Gaza Strip in two separate attacks on Saturday, according to health officials.
Medics said an Israeli strike killed four people near Panda Mall in Gaza City, while another killed one person in the Tuffah neighbourhood further south of the city.
The Israeli military said the two strikes targeted militants, without giving further information.
Israel has stepped up strikes against Hamas in recent weeks, saying the Palestinian militant group has been rearming and carrying out attacks in violation of the ceasefire.
Hamas denies rebuilding its arsenal or planning attacks and accuses Israel of undermining the US-brokered ceasefire which was issued and agreed upon a year ago.
Palestinian election postponed
On Saturday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas postponed legislative elections due next month, until September 11, 2027.
Mr Abbas called for a presidential poll for the same date, blaming Israel and security Palestinian territories for the delay.
Mr Abbas's decree cited "obstacles posed by Israeli measures" and the need to establish suitable political, security and on-the-ground conditions for "free, fair and inclusive elections", the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.
The decree called on Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza to vote.
There had been serious doubts that the Palestinian vote would go ahead next month. Palestinians have not held legislative or presidential elections since 2005-06, after which Mr Abbas's rival, the Islamist group Hamas, seized control of Gaza, ousting his loyalists.
Mr Abbas has ruled by decree since his presidential mandate expired in 2009.
The Palestinian Authority held municipal elections in April in the West Bank and in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, the only city in the enclave to participate. The vote was the first election held in Gaza since 2006.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Saudi authorities will enhance airport security measures and possibly retaliate against Houthi positions in Yemen.
Likely · Within days
The postponement of Palestinian elections will deepen political divisions and increase international scrutiny on Israel's role in the delay.
Likely · Within months
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