In Yemen, Houthi rebels have held a solemn funeral for their military chief of staff, who was recently killed in an Israeli airstrike, as tensions in the region continue to simmer.

More than 1,000 mourners and supporters gathered Monday in Sabeen Square, Sanaa, to pay tribute to Maj. Gen. Muhammad Abdul Karim al-Ghamari. The Iranian-backed rebel group confirmed last week that al-Ghamari, along with other senior leaders, was killed in the strike. The precise date of the attack was not disclosed.

The funeral was marked by prayers inside a mosque, while outside, the caskets of al-Ghamari and his 13-year-old son Hussain were placed on military vehicles. Mourners carried portraits of al-Ghamari and wore sashes displaying his image alongside Yemeni and Palestinian flags.

The United Nations had sanctioned al-Ghamari for orchestrating Houthi military operations threatening Yemen’s stability and carrying out cross-border attacks against Saudi Arabia. The U.S. and Israel launched air and naval campaigns against the Houthis in response to missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and Red Sea shipping lanes.

The Houthis, in turn, said their attacks were in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. These strikes have disrupted trade in the Red Sea, a vital corridor through which about $1 trillion in goods pass annually.

The funeral comes as a fragile U.S.-proposed ceasefire in Gaza remains in effect, nearly two months after Israeli airstrikes killed senior Houthi government officials, including their prime minister Ahmed al-Rahawi. Analysts say al-Ghamari’s death could further escalate tensions between the Houthis and Israel, complicating efforts to stabilize the region.

The situation highlights the ongoing fragility of peace in the region, as Yemen continues to face the dual challenge of internal conflict and cross-border hostilities.

Reporting by Carl Montel.