Yemen’s Houthis resume naval blockade on Israeli vessels as Gaza aid deadline passes

The Houthi-aligned Yemeni armed forces have announced the resumption of their naval blockade on Israeli ships in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Bab El-Mandab Strait and the Gulf of Aden. The move follows the expiry of a deadline set by Houthi leader Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi, demanding the occupation state reopen Gaza’s border crossings to allow humanitarian aid.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Yemeni military warned that any Israeli vessel attempting to breach the blockade would be targeted within the designated operational zones. “This prohibition will remain until crossings into Gaza are reopened and humanitarian aid, including essential food and medicine, is permitted entry,” the statement read.

Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the military’s spokesperson, confirmed that the blockade was effective immediately and reaffirmed Sanaa’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian resistance. “The Yemeni Armed Forces salute the steadfast Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank,” he stated.

The decision comes as famine looms over Gaza. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem warned yesterday that the enclave faces the early stages of a “real famine” due to Israel’s continued blockade, preventing food supplies from entering for the tenth consecutive day. He called the situation a “blatant violation” of ceasefire agreements that were meant to ensure the unrestricted flow of aid.

The naval blockade marks Yemen’s latest escalation in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, triggered by the genocidal war launched by the occupation army, with officials warning that further military action could follow if Israel does not comply.

READ: On the US sanctions and regional support for parallel entities in Yemen