Yemen’s Houthis Announce Resumption of Attacks on Israeli Ships Over Gaza Aid Blockade

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The Houthis launched more than 100 attacks targeting shipping in solidarity with Palestinians over Israel's brutal war with in Gaza [EUNAVFOR Handout Photo via Reuters]

Yemeni Houthis have declared their intention to resume attacks on Israeli vessels after Israel missed the Houthis’ deadline to restore aid shipments to Gaza.

Late Tuesday, the Iran-aligned group stated that they would “reinstate the ban on the passage of all Israeli ships” through the Red Sea, citing Israel’s failure to meet the deadline set on Friday.

The Houthis warned that “any Israeli ship attempting to breach this ban will be targeted within the declared operational zone.” The ban encompasses the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Bab al-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden.

The Houthis, who control significant parts of Yemen, had previously disrupted this critical maritime route as Israel conducted airstrikes on Gaza. These attacks have impacted global trade, forcing vessels to bypass the Suez Canal and take the longer route around Africa.

Following a ceasefire in January, the Houthis had paused their drone and missile strikes on ships with alleged Israeli connections. However, the group threatened to resume attacks after Israel halted all aid to Gaza on March 2, aiming to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages captured during the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault.

In Tuesday’s statement, the Houthis emphasized that their attacks would persist until Israel allows aid into Gaza.

Since November 2023, the Houthis have launched over 100 attacks on vessels off Yemen’s coast in solidarity with Gaza’s Palestinians. These assaults have sunk two ships, seized another, and resulted in at least four deaths among seafarers, with many others taken captive.

The Houthis’ aggressive campaign prompted the United States and the European Union to deploy naval missions to safeguard maritime traffic in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The U.S. and the United Kingdom also carried out airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen.

Analysts suggest that these actions have elevated the Houthis from a localized threat to a significant challenge against Israeli and Western interests.

In early March, the United States designated the Houthi movement, formally known as Ansar Allah, as a “foreign terrorist organization.”