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The Yemeni Houthis have announced that they will resume attacks on ships linked to Israel after the deadline for resuming humanitarian aid supplies to the Gaza Strip has expired.
This was reported by AFP via the link.
Ban on the passage of Israeli ships
A statement by the rebels, cited by the agency, said that they intend to reinstate the ban on the passage of all Israeli ships in the Red and Arabian Seas, as well as in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden.
According to the Houthis, the restriction comes into effect immediately.
Ceasefire and disruption of humanitarian supplies
At the end of January, the Houthis announced that they would temporarily suspend attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea while the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip was in effect.
The six-week truce was brokered by the United States, Egypt and Qatar and came into effect on 19 January.
However, according to AFP, negotiations between Israel and the Hamas group have reached a deadlock.
Israel’s tough response and the Houthis’ ultimatum
More than a week ago, Israel cut off humanitarian aid and electricity supplies to Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained this decision as a way to put pressure on Hamas to agree to the terms of the second phase of the truce.
In response, on 7 March, the Houthis threatened to resume attacks on ships in the Red Sea if Israel did not resume the supply of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
What’s next?
Resumption of Houthi attacks could again threaten international shipping and call into question stability in the region.
Washington and its allies are closely monitoring the situation, as the conflict in the Red Sea threatens global trade and could trigger a new wave of military tension.
