Live Updates: War between Israel and Hezbollah continues, attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen

Deadly fighting between Israel and Iranian-backed militant groups has increased in recent weeks as the Israeli military expands its attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen.

Along with Hamas, which attacked Israel on October 7, Hezbollah and the Houthis are part of Iran’s “Axis of Resistance,” an alliance of Islamist militias that stretches across Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza and Yemen. The proxies give Iran strategic strength against its enemies.

In support of Hamas and the Palestinians, Hezbollah and the Houthis have launched regular attacks on Israel over the past year. They have vowed to keep fighting until the war in Gaza ends.

Here’s what you should know about the groups:

Hezbollah: The Lebanese group is considered the most heavily armed non-state group in the world. The Shiite group emerged from Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 1982. Israel occupied southern Lebanon for 22 years before being driven out by Hezbollah. In 2006, Hezbollah and Israel fought a 34-day war that ended with no clear winner.

The Houthis: The Shiite group, backed by Iranian weapons and technology, has been fighting Saudi-backed forces in Yemen’s civil war for more than a decade. While the Houthis do not pose as big a threat to Israel as Hamas and Hezbollah, they have wreaked havoc in the Red Sea over the past year, launching attacks on merchant ships they believe are linked to Israel and its allies posed a threat to stifle world trade.

Hamas: The group emerged in 1987 as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, a Sunni Islamist group from Egypt. Hamas views Israel as an occupying power and its goal is the liberation of the Palestinian territories. Hamas receives money, weapons and training from Iran.

The US has designated Hamas, Houthis and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations.