Houthis say will resume attacks on “Israeli” ships

The Yemen’s Houthis announced Tuesday that they are resuming attacks on “Israeli”-linked vessels in the Red Sea and extending operations into the Arabian Sea until border crossings into Gaza are reopened and aid enters.

Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said in a televised statement that the group is enforcing a renewed blockade on “all Israeli ships” within their operational zones in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and Gulf of Aden.

The decision follows the expiration of a deadline set by Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi last Friday, Saree said.

On Friday, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi had warned that the Iran-backed group would resume attacks in the Red Sea if “Israel” failed to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza within four days.

Amid disputes over the next phase of a ceasefire agreement that ended a devastating 15-month aggression, “Israel” halted the entry of humanitarian aid into the besieged strip.

The decision has drawn widespread condemnation due to its severe humanitarian impact on Gaza’s 2.4 million residents, who are already facing dire conditions.

“The blockade takes effect immediately upon this announcement,” Saree stated, adding that the Houthis will continue targeting Israeli ships until border crossings into Gaza are reopened, allowing food and medical aid to enter.

“Any Israeli vessel attempting to break this blockade will be targeted within the designated operational area,” he warned.

The announcement comes just days after the United States reclassified the Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, as a “foreign terrorist organization” and imposed sanctions on seven senior members of the group.