New York, 25 September, 2026 (Nosheen): Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Saleh al-Fawzan has called on the kingdom’s troops to remain prepared to defend the country amid escalating attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the Grand Mufti addressed Saudi soldiers guarding the kingdom’s borders and members of the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis, describing the protection of the country and defence against aggression as major duties. Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Yemen has continued to deteriorate as fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces intensifies, with more than 130,000 people reportedly displaced and fewer than 10 percent of health centres in affected areas equipped to provide the required care, according to the World Health Organization. In Gaza, Israel’s military reported that two soldiers were killed in northern Gaza while inspecting an unexploded Israeli drone, marking the first Israeli military deaths in the territory in months. The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, also remains central to humanitarian efforts in Gaza despite disputes over its future role, while former UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said Palestinian officials continue to view cooperation with the agency as important. Separately, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly to discuss efforts to reduce regional tensions.