Israel halted all aid supplies into Gaza a week ago and, on Sunday, cut off electricity to the region, prompting a sharp response from Yemen’s Houthi movement.
The Houthis, who previously targeted commercial shipping in the Red Sea to support Hamas and blockade Israel, have issued a new warning.
In a video posted on the Houthi Telegram channel on March 8, the group delivered an ultimatum to Israel: reopen Gaza aid routes within four days or face a resumption of naval operations against what they termed the “Israeli enemy.”
A second video, released on March 9, featured ominous music and showcased Houthi attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea over the past two years.
The footage included incidents such as the hijacking of the Galaxy Leader and missile and drone strikes on ships transiting the area.
The Houthi suspended their attacks on commercial shipping in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden following the January 19 ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
This truce marked the end of a 14-month campaign of maritime disruptions that forced many vessels to divert around the Cape of Good Hope.
Despite the ceasefire, the fragile security situation has led major shipping companies, including prominent container lines, to continue avoiding the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.
Industry experts predict that normal transit operations may not resume until the second half of the year.
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