Houthis Warn Of Renewed Ship Attacks If Gaza Ceasefire Deal Is Violated

The Houthi leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, has declared that the Yemeni Houthi group will continue attacks on ships in the Red Sea if the newly announced ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is violated.

The ceasefire, brokered by Qatar, will begin on Sunday and aims to end the prolonged conflict in Gaza.

In a televised speech, al-Houthi said that his group would monitor developments closely and respond if Israel continues military actions or violates the agreement.

He said that the Houthis are prepared to provide military support to the Palestinians if needed. The group’s actions have already disrupted international shipping, by targeting vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The Houthis have launched over 100 attacks since November 2023, using missiles and drones. Two ships have been sunk, and four seafarers have lost their lives in these incidents.

Some of the major attacks include the seizure of the Galaxy Leader, a Bahamas-flagged car carrier seized in international waters by the Houthis in November 2023, capturing its 25-member crew, who are still hostage.

Video Credits: The London Standard/YouTube

Another one is of Zografia, a Greek-owned ship damaged by an attack near Yemen’s Saleef port, leaving a large hole below its waterline in January 2024.

Other incidents include the sinking of the Rubymar, a British-owned vessel struck by multiple missiles, and becoming the first ship sunk by the Houthis in March 2024.

A coal carrier, MV Tutor, also sank after it was struck by missiles and an explosive-laden boat near Yemen’s Hodeidah port in June 2024. One of its crew members went missing, while others were rescued.

Additionally, a missile attack caused a fire on a Greek-owned ship, named True Confidence killing three of its crew members in March 2024.

One of the latest incidents was when the Iran-backed Houthis launched missile and drone attacks on the oil tanker Sounion, carrying 150,000 metric tons of crude oil in August 2024, leaving it burning for weeks and risking a catastrophic environmental disaster.

However, the tanker was salvaged last week in January 2025, preventing one of the worst oil spills in history.

These attacks have forced many ships to reroute around southern Africa, avoiding the Suez Canal. This has increased delivery times, insurance costs, and fuel consumption.

The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, announced by Qatar’s Prime Minister, will end the 15-month-long war in Gaza. It will last for six weeks, during which Israeli forces will gradually withdraw from Gaza.

However, the Houthis have set strict conditions for halting their attacks, demanding Israel stop all its military actions and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.

The deal includes a three-phase process lasting 42 days each, with rebuilding efforts for Gaza expected to take three to five years, led by Qatar, Egypt, and the United Nations.

Shipping experts remain cautious. Lars H. Barstad, CEO of Frontline, said that shipowners are unlikely to risk Red Sea journeys until the region is completely safe.

Meanwhile, Guy Platten head of the International Chamber of Shipping called for the immediate release of the Galaxy Leader crew, who have been held hostage for over a year now.

The U.S. and Britain launched a multinational operation in December 2023 to safeguard Red Sea commerce, while the EU began its mission in February 2024 to protect the vital waterway.

Military airstrikes targeting Houthi weapon storage facilities have also been conducted.

Despite all these efforts, Houthis remain a major threat. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently declared that their campaign against the Houthis is only the beginning.

The Houthis, part of Iran’s “Axis of Resistance,” a coalition that includes Hamas and Hezbollah, have also launched missiles and drones toward Israel.

Reference: Reuters

Source: Maritime Shipping News