Houthis Renew Naval Blockade on Israeli Ships Amid Gaza Aid Crisis
The Houthi-led government in Yemen has resumed its blockade on Israeli ships following the expiration of a deadline for humanitarian aid access to Gaza. The blockade spans several key waterways, and the Houthis have vowed to target any Israeli vessel attempting passage. Concurrently, the U.S. is mobilizing regional allies to safeguard maritime routes and address the Houthi threat.
On Tuesday, Yemen’s Houthi-led government announced the renewed naval blockade on Israeli ships, coinciding with the expiration of a deadline for Israel to permit aid access to Gaza. Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the military spokesperson, stated that this blockade now encompasses Yemen’s waterways, including the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The Houthi leader, Abdulmalik al-Houthi, previously issued a four-day ultimatum demanding aid be allowed into Gaza. This ultimatum followed Israel’s complete re-imposition of a blockade on Gaza on March 2, which prevented the entry of essential supplies, worsening the humanitarian situation. Additionally, Israel cut off electricity to Gaza, severely affecting water supply.
Following the inactivity from Israel regarding the blockade, the Houthis reaffirmed their stance to continue military actions against Israeli-linked shipping. Saree warned that any Israeli ship attempting to breach the blockade would face targeting within the operational area. The ongoing blockade will persist until the Gaza crossings are reopened for humanitarian assistance.
Since October 7, 2023, the Houthis have executed a series of strikes against Israeli-linked maritime targets in a show of solidarity with Palestinians. They have successfully attacked numerous vessels, leading to casualties and a pronounced drop in maritime traffic, particularly impacting the Israeli port of Eilat and significantly troubling Egypt’s Suez Canal operations.
These actions have prompted retaliatory strikes from the US, UK, and Israel against Yemeni targets, yet Houthi activities have continued unabated. Israeli media reports suggest heightened alertness within the Israeli military for potential missile attacks from Yemen.
In response to these threats, the United States has sought regional collaboration to address the dangers posed by the Houthis. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss various issues, establishing the threat to international shipping as a priority. Military assets have been deployed to protect cargo ships navigating through Yemen’s waterways.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement has commended the Houthis for the blockade, recognizing it as a pivotal pressure tactic against Israel. They expressed gratitude for Yemen’s support, calling for similar unified action from other Arab and Islamic nations to bolster the Palestinian cause.
The renewal of the Houthi blockade on Israeli vessels underscores the escalating tensions in the region following Israel’s tightened blockade on Gaza. This situation has significant humanitarian implications, with the Houthi forces committing to targeting Israeli shipping in response to the conflict’s escalation. Regional and global actors, including the United States, are actively engaging to counter the Houthis’ influence while addressing the threats posed to maritime trade routes. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement’s support for this blockade reflects a broader regional sentiment backing Palestinian resistance against Israeli actions.
Original Source: www.dropsitenews.com
