The Houthi-led government in Yemen has resumed a blockade against Israeli ships following a deadline for aid to Gaza. This action comes amid Israel’s tightened blockade further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The Houthis have vowed to target Israeli vessels until humanitarian aid is permitted into Gaza. The situation has prompted US and allied military responses to protect shipping lanes.
The Houthi-led government in Yemen has announced the resumption of a naval blockade on Israeli ships after the expiration of its deadline for Israel to permit aid into the Gaza Strip. Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the military spokesperson for the Houthis, stated that the blockade will cover Yemen’s waterways, including the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The ultimatum, issued by Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi on March 8, demanded that aid be allowed into Gaza following Israel’s decision to reimpose a total blockade, effectively stopping all deliveries of food, fuel, and medicine. This blockade has caused prices to soar and worsened the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with the latest cuts to electricity supply significantly affecting water availability.
With Israel reinforcing its blockade, the Houthis have reiterated their intentions to escalate military actions against Israeli-linked vessels. “Any Israeli ship attempting to break this blockade will be targeted in the declared operational area,” stated Saree, emphasizing the need for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza before the blockade can be lifted.
The Houthi campaign against alleged Israeli-linked shipping intensified after Israel’s military actions on Gaza commencing October 7, 2023. The group has reportedly targeted numerous ships, leading to casualties among sailors and significantly reducing merchant traffic within the region, including at Israel’s port of Eilat and affecting transit through the Suez Canal.
These actions have triggered retaliatory missile strikes from the US, UK, and Israel against Houthi positions in Yemen, yet the group remains undeterred, with Israeli forces reportedly on high alert for further missile assaults.
In efforts to counteract threats posed by the Houthis to maritime safety, the United States is working to unify regional allies while also deploying substantial military assets to the Red Sea. Recent discussions between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also focused on the implications of the Houthi actions on global commerce.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement has praised the renewed blockade of ships, stating that it signifies Yemeni support for the Palestinian cause and urges other Arab and Islamic nations to adopt similar positions in solidarity with Gaza.
In summary, the resumption of the Houthi blockade on Israeli ships underscores the tension surrounding humanitarian aid to Gaza amid deteriorating conditions exacerbated by blockades. The Houthis demonstrate a commitment to escalate military actions against Israeli interests while prompting international responses. Continued discussions and military deployments by the US signal the ongoing complexity of the conflict and the necessity for unified regional action to safeguard maritime navigation.
Original Source: www.dropsitenews.com
