- Houthis give Israel a four-day deadline to lift Gaza blockade or face renewed naval attacks.
- Rebel group warns of resuming Red Sea assaults after a period of reduced operations.
- Tensions rise as Houthis demand unrestricted aid flow into Gaza amid ongoing crisis.
Yemen’s Houthi fighters have issued a four-day ultimatum to Israel, demanding the immediate lifting of restrictions on food, medicine, and humanitarian aid into Gaza.
They have threatened to resume “naval operations” against Israel if their demands are not met.
The warning, delivered by Houthi leader Abdel-Malik al-Houthi in a video statement on Friday, suggests a potential escalation from the Iran-backed group. Houthi attacks had subsided since January following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
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“This deadline allows mediators to continue their efforts. If, after four days, the Israeli enemy continues blocking aid and maintaining the closure of crossings, we will resume naval operations,” al-Houthi declared.
The Houthis previously launched over 100 attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, claiming solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
Their campaign disrupted global shipping, sank two vessels, seized another, and resulted in at least four deaths. Additionally, they have carried out missile and drone strikes on Israel, killing one person and damaging buildings, including a Tel Aviv school.
The U.S., under President Donald Trump, re-designated the Houthis as a “terrorist” organisation earlier this week. Israel has yet to respond to the latest threat.
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Hamas welcomed the Houthis’ announcement, calling it a “brave decision” and an extension of their ongoing support throughout the 15-month-long war in Gaza.
The Houthis, who control large parts of Yemen, previously warned in February that they would take military action if the U.S. or Israel attempted to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza.
Their latest ultimatum comes as Israel’s blockade of aid into Gaza entered its seventh day. The blockade began on March 2 after Israel backed out of a ceasefire deal, seeking to extend the first phase of the agreement without committing to ending the war.
The United Nations, human rights organisations, and several countries have condemned the blockade, warning that it could constitute a war crime.
In a statement on Friday, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said the blockade has led to soaring prices and growing fears of renewed bombardment and starvation.
The OHCHR also highlighted the dire humanitarian conditions, reporting that at least eight babies have died from exposure in makeshift shelters over the past two weeks.
“As the occupying power, Israel has a legal obligation to ensure the provision of life’s necessities for Palestinians under its control,” the OHCHR stated. “Any denial of essential goods may amount to collective punishment, and the use of starvation as a weapon of war is a war crime.”
Palestinians warn that the blockade has also caused severe shortages of medical supplies, leaving hospitals struggling to treat the wounded.
