Yemen’s Houthis have announced that they will only target ships linked to Israel under a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. The group has agreed to stop attacking commercial vessels, except those with Israeli connections, once all phases of the ceasefire deal are completed.
The Humanitarian Operations Coordination Centre (HOCC), which liaises between Houthi forces and shipping operators, stated that sanctions against US and British-owned ships will be lifted. However, if any aggression is directed towards Yemen by these countries or Israel, the Houthis will reinstate sanctions.
Houthi rebels had been carrying out over 100 attacks on ships since November 2023, sinking two vessels and killing at least four seafarers. The group targeted key shipping routes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, disrupting international trade.
The ceasefire took effect on Sunday and is set to unfold in three phases over several weeks. Executives from retail and insurance firms have expressed uncertainty about returning to the Red Sea due to concerns over Houthi attacks.
Shipping companies have reported significant costs associated with navigating the high-risk area, including higher risk-insurance premiums. Companies such as Hapag-Lloyd and BIMCO are monitoring the situation and expect to resume operations through the Red Sea once the ceasefire is confirmed.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/20/yemens-houthis-to-only-target-israel-linked-ships-following-gaza-ceasefire