Yemeni rebels, the Houthis, have threatened to resume attacks on Israeli ships if humanitarian supplies to Gaza are not resumed within four days.
“If Israel continues to prevent aid from entering the Gaza Strip after four days, we will begin our maritime operations against the enemy Israel,” said the leader of the Iran-backed rebel group, Abdulmalik al-Houthi.
The Houthi rebels, who control most of Yemen, have launched drone and missile attacks on Israeli and Israel-linked ships, as well as other vessels in the Red Sea during the Gaza conflict. The rebels announced a ceasefire in January.
The Houthi threat comes days after the United States reinstated the Yemeni group on its list of foreign terrorist organizations and imposed sanctions on seven high-ranking members of the group.
On March 2, Israel announced the blockade of humanitarian shipments to Gaza until Hamas—the Palestinian group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union—agreed to extend the first phase of the ceasefire.
The first phase of the ceasefire, which included an increase in humanitarian aid, expired on March 1. Both sides must now negotiate the second phase, in which Hamas is expected to release dozens of remaining hostages in exchange for Israel’s withdrawal and a long-term ceasefire.
During the first phase, a six-week ceasefire, Hamas released 25 Israeli hostages and the bodies of eight others in exchange for the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners by Israel. Israeli forces withdrew from most of Gaza, and Israel allowed humanitarian aid to enter. However, the first phase was marked by accusations from both sides of violations of the agreement.
Hamas initiated the war in Gaza by attacking Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping 250 others. Since then, as a result of Israel’s military offensive, more than 48,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to reports from REL.
In January, both sides agreed to a ceasefire deal with three phases, aimed at ending the war.
