Houthi Rebels Warn To Resume Red Sea Attacks If Gaza Blockade Continues

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels have given a deadline for Israel to lift restrictions on humanitarian aid to Gaza, warning they will resume attacks on ships linked to Israel if their demand is not met.

The Houthis, a US designated terrorist group, have previously targeted commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, disrupting global trade and increasing shipping costs.

Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi announced in a televised speech, that if Israel does not allow aid into Gaza, his forces will escalate maritime operations in the Red Sea and nearby waters.

He accused Israel and its allies of deliberately blocking relief efforts and worsening the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

According to the Houthis, Israel has four days, starting from Friday, to reopen aid routes. A senior Houthi official, Nasruddin Amer, warned that if Israel does not comply, “our military forces are ready to resume naval operations against Israel.”

Tensions in Gaza continue to escalate after Israel’s decision on March 2 to halt international food aid convoys. The decision was made to pressurise Hamas, which is holding 24 Israeli hostages and the remains of 34 others.

Israel has accused Hamas of diverting humanitarian aid to support its military operations, a claim that Hamas has denied.

The blockade has left hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza struggling for basic necessities, as the region has been heavily damaged by ongoing conflict.

Israel recently cut off electricity to Gaza’s only desalination plant in Deir el-Balah, which provides drinking water to around 600,000 displaced residents.

While the facility is currently running on backup generators and solar power, the loss of electricity has made its operations uncertain. Hamas has accused Israel of “collective punishment” by cutting off essential supplies like food, water, and electricity.

Meanwhile, the United Nations has expressed concern over the worsening situation, stating that attempts to transport aid through border crossings have been blocked by Israeli authorities.

The Houthis have previously launched hundreds of missile and drone attacks on commercial vessels since 2023, targeting both Israeli-linked ships and US naval forces defending international shipping routes.

Their attacks have led to rising freight and insurance costs, forcing many shipping companies to take longer and costlier detours.

The group had agreed to pause its Red Sea attacks in January following a temporary ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. However, with the breakdown of negotiations, the Houthis are now threatening to restart their attacks on maritime traffic.

Per reports, the Houthis are seeking to expand their military capabilities. The group has relied heavily on Iranian-supplied weapons but is now in discussions with Russia to obtain P-800 Oniks supersonic anti-ship missiles.

These missiles are originally developed by Soviet engineers to target US Navy destroyers, the same type of warships that have been countering Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

In response to the Houthi threats, Israel has increased security measures in the Red Sea, deploying advanced defense systems and strengthening its naval presence. Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen stated that Israel would use “all available tools” to bring back the hostages and weaken Hamas’ control in Gaza.

Reference: newsweek

Source: Maritime Shipping News