The U.N. special envoy for Yemen said Wednesday that intense diplomatic efforts are underway to end the eight-year war in Yemen. He cited new regional and international momentum, including the recent restoration of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran, who back rivals in the conflict.

Hans Grundberg told the U.N. Security Council there has also been "a step change in the scope and depth of the discussions," and he urged Yemen’s internationally recognized government and Houthi rebels "to seize the opportunities" created by the new momentum. He singled out continuing efforts by Saudi Arabia and Oman.

Grundberg also indicated progress in talks on a prisoner exchange between the Saudi-backed government and Iran-backed Houthis that are co-chaired by the U.N. and the International Committee of the Red Cross. He urged the parties "to finalize the details of the current phase they have agreed on, including the implementation plan."

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U.N. Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya had some positive news as well: The number of people going hungry in Yemen has dropped by almost 2 million, and the number at the worst level, facing famine, has dropped to zero.

Nonetheless, she said, "Yemen remains a staggering emergency" with more that 17 million people in need of assistance this year, funding in short supply and economic problems "pushing even more people into destitution."

At a pledging conference two weeks ago more than 30 donors promised $1.16 billion for humanitarian assistance this year for Yemen, which Msuya welcomed, but she stressed it was the lowest level since 2017 and far below the $4.3 billion the U.S. needs to help the 17 million people.

Yemen’s devastating conflict began in 2014, when the Houthis seized the capital of Sanaa and much of northern Yemen and forced the government into exile. A Saudi-led coalition including the United Arab Emirates intervened in 2015 to try to restore the internationally recognized government to power.

A U.N.-backed truce initially took effect in April 2022 and raised hopes for a longer pause in fighting, but it ended on Oct. 2 after just six months.

Nonetheless, special envoy Grundberg said the overall military situation in the country continues to be "relatively stable" and other elements of the truce continue to be implemented, though he expressed concern at the uptick in the number and intensity of clashes in several front-line areas, including Marib and Taiz.

He called these gains "fragile" and urged the government and Houthis "to exercise maximum restraint during this critical time, including refraining from escalatory public rhetoric, to avoid destabilizing the situation."

Grundberg said he recently visited Moscow, Abu Dhabi, Paris, Tehran and Riyadh in his search for moves toward peace, including renewed talks between the warring parties.

He said the Saudi-Iran agreement, facilitated in part by China, and good neighborly relations "are important for the region and for Yemen."

"The parties must seize the opportunity presented by this regional and international momentum to take decisive steps towards a more peaceful future," Grundberg said. "This requires patience and a long-term perspective. And this requires courage and leadership."

China’s deputy U.N. ambassador, Geng Shuang, called the re-establishment of Saudi-Iranian relations "uplifting news for today’s world that is fraught with uncertainties and instability."

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"It has injected a positive element into the peace, stability, solidarity and cooperation landscape of the region," he said, expressing hope that "it can also create conducive conditions for improving the situation in Yemen."

Shuang told the council that China, along with the international community, "stands ready to continue its unwavering efforts towards resolving the Yemeni issue and maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East."

U.S. deputy ambassador, Jeffrey DeLaurentis, said he hoped the Saudi-Iran agreement "will contribute to efforts to secure a durable solution to the conflict in Yemen, address the continued flow of Iranian lethal aid to the Houthis and ensure Iranian support for a Yemeni political process."

He said the United States welcomes support for U.N. peace efforts from Yemen’s government, Saudi Arabia, Oman and other regional countries and urges the Houthis "to engage in negotiations in good faith and to work with the U.N. to keep Yemen on the path to peace," he said.

Biden’s controversial nominee to be ambassador to India cleared a major hurdle in the Senate on Wednesday with the help of seven Republicans, putting the embattled former Los Angeles mayor on track to earn final confirmation more than 600 days since he was first nominated.

Garcetti had to earn a simple majority vote to end floor debate on his nomination, and seven Republicans helped him over the line: Bill Cassidy, La.; Roger Marshall, Kan.; Lindsey Graham, S.C.; Steve Daines, Mont.; Susan Collins, Maine; Bill Hagerty, Tenn.; and Todd Young, Ind. The Senate voted to end debate 52-42, making it all but assured that the votes are there for his final confirmation vote.

Democrats Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, voted with 39 Republicans against Garcetti.

Garcetti became controversial after reports surfaced that he ignored sexual harassment allegations against his former chief of staff in Los Angeles. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., placed a hold on the nomination last month, and said Garcetti "has ignored credible sexual assault accusations in his prior office."

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President Biden first nominated Garcetti in July 2021. After clearing his first committee hurdle, Garcetti failed to earn a full Senate vote after new revelations about a sexual harassment lawsuit involving his former top adviser came to light.

Those accusations are highlighted in a pending lawsuit against Rick Jacobs, Garcetti’s former chief of staff. Jacobs is being accused of sexual harassment in the form of inappropriate comments, unwanted kissing and touching, and sexual advances against a male LAPD officer assigned to Garcetti’s security detail, a male reporter and other whistleblowers.

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Senior Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa opened an investigation last year into the matter and conducted interviews with 15 witnesses and examined 26 depositions and other documentary evidence, including emails and text messages. Grassley’s investigative staff concluded that Garcetti "likely knew, or should have known, that his former senior adviser was sexually harassing and making racist remarks toward multiple individuals."

"Nobody is that brazen to engage in this type of outrageous behavior against other people unless they know that they have a powerful enabler protecting them. Based on the facts and the evidence, that enabler is Mayor Eric Garcetti," Grassley said last year.

The White House called that investigation a "hit job" and said President Biden has maintained full support in his nominee who is "well qualified to serve in this vital role."