Houthi rebels have warned shippers that “any Israeli vessel” traveling through nearby Middle East waters is now a target, amid Israel’s blockade of aid to the Gaza Strip. The warning from the Houthis’ Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center threatens revenue from Egypt’s Suez Canal and may halt aid shipments to war zones.
The statement, which follows a four-day deadline for Israel to resume aid shipments, claims the actions are driven by a “deep sense of religious, humanitarian and moral responsibility” towards the Palestinian people. It warns that any Israeli vessel attempting to violate the ban will be subject to military targeting in the declared operational area.
Israel’s military did not respond to a request for comment on the warning. The move drew intense international criticism, with over 2 million Palestinians relying on international aid due to the war. A maritime security firm warned that the statement was “ambiguous,” putting more ships at risk.
The Houthis’ attacks on ships began in November 2023 and have targeted over 100 merchant vessels, sinking two and killing four sailors. The rebel leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi had previously warned of resuming attacks if aid into Gaza wasn’t allowed within four days, which passed Tuesday.
Source: https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/03/12/yemens-houthi-rebels-say-any-israeli-vessel-nearby-mideast-waterways-again-target.html