Yemen’s Houthi rebels have indicated a cessation of their assaults on Israel and maritime traffic in the Red Sea as a fragile truce holds in Gaza. A letter from Maj.-Gen. Yusuf Hassan al-Madani, the Houthi military’s chief of staff, posted online by Hamas’ Qassam Brigades, conveyed a clear message that their attacks have paused. It stated their readiness to resume military actions within Israel if Gaza comes under renewed aggression, reinstating the ban on Israeli ships in the Red and Arabian Seas.
Despite no official announcement from the Houthis regarding the cessation of their activities in the region, Israel’s military, which had targeted senior Houthi leaders in retaliatory strikes, refrained from commenting when approached by The Associated Press. Previously, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz had issued a warning of severe retaliation against the Houthis for assaults on Israel, including a drone strike in Eilat that left 22 individuals injured.
The Houthis gained global attention during the Israel-Hamas conflict for their attacks on Israeli-affiliated vessels and Israel itself, aiming to compel Israel to cease hostilities. Since the ceasefire came into effect on October 10, the rebel group has not claimed any attacks. Despite the Houthis’ assertion that their operations targeted vessels with Israeli connections, the attacked ships had little or no actual ties to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The ongoing campaign has resulted in the deaths of at least nine sailors and the sinking of four ships, disrupting Red Sea shipping routes that previously facilitated around $1 trillion in annual trade. The most recent attack targeted the Dutch-flagged cargo ship Minervagracht on September 29, resulting in the death of one crew member and injuring another.
The attacks have severely impacted traffic through Egypt’s Suez Canal, a vital source of foreign currency for the country. Despite a recent slight uptick in activity due to the lull in attacks, many shipping companies continue to opt for the longer route around Africa via the Cape of Good Hope to bypass the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The U.S. conducted a significant bombing campaign against the rebels earlier this year, paused by President Donald Trump before his visit to the Middle East. Subsequently, the Biden administration also carried out strikes against the Houthis, utilizing B-2 bombers to target underground bunkers used by the group.
