Yemen’s Houthis will resume attacking Israeli ships after Israel’s failure to allow Gaza aid. They announced readiness to target vessels in the Red Sea and surrounding waters, citing expired ultimatums and solidarity with Palestinians. Ongoing military actions and political negotiations impact the broader regional dynamics, especially involving Israel and Hamas.
Yemen’s Houthi group announced a resumption of their ban on the passage of all Israeli ships in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Bab al-Mandab Strait due to the failure of Israel to facilitate humanitarian aid to Gaza. This ultimatum, originally set for four days, expired recently, prompting a confrontational stance from the Houthis. According to Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree, they are prepared to target Israeli vessels breaching the blockade until Gaza’s crossings are reopened.
Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi emphasized the group’s readiness to take military action against Israel post-deadline expiration. The statement indicated that any Israeli vessel attempting to breach their ban would be actively targeted within the designated operational zones, namely the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Gulf of Aden.
The Houthis moved swiftly following the expiration of the ceasefire in Gaza, marked by Israel’s reclosure of crossings, which has halted aid since March. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu aims to use these conditions to negotiate hostage releases, which has drawn criticism from various political factions. In tandem, Hamas is calling for renewed negotiations to ensure an end to hostilities and a full Israeli withdrawal.
Since November 2023, Houthis have engaged in missile and drone attacks against Israeli entities and directly targeted Israel in an expression of solidarity with Gaza. Although Israel had previously responded with airstrikes on Houthi positions, such exchanges were ceased during the recent truce. Following the ongoing violence, over 48,500 casualties have been reported in Gaza, predominantly among women and children, highlighting the severity of the humanitarian crisis.
The Houthis’ renewed threats against Israeli shipping represent an escalation in tensions linked to the Gaza conflict. The declaration comes after Israel’s failure to deliver humanitarian aid, reinforcing the Houthis’ commitment to supporting Palestinian interests. The situation remains critical as diplomatic efforts continue to resolve the ongoing humanitarian and military crises. The international community is watching closely as these developments could lead to further instability in the region.
Original Source: www.aa.com.tr
