Yemen's Houthi militias warned shippers early Wednesday that “any Israeli vessel” traveling through nearby Mideast waters is now a target as Israel continues to block aid to the Gaza Strip.
The statement from the Houthis' Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center follows a four-day deadline set by the militias for Israel to resume aid shipments to Gaza.
“We hope it is understood that the actions taken ... stem from a deep sense of religious, humanitarian and moral responsibility toward the oppressed Palestinian people and aim to pressure the Israeli usurper entity to reopen the crossings to the Gaza Strip and allow the entry of aid, including food and medical supplies,” the statement said.
According to The Associated Press, it described the warning as taking hold in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Arabian Sea.
The statement added: “Any Israeli vessel attempting to violate this ban will be subject to military targeting in the declared operational area.”
Israel earlier this month halted all aid coming into the Gaza Strip and has warned of “additional consequences” for Hamas if the fragile ceasefire in the war isn’t extended as negotiations continue over starting a second phase of the pause in fighting.
The maritime security firm Ambrey warned the statements from the Houthis were “ambiguous,” likely putting more ships at risk.
It's “likely to have extended once more toward ships partially owned by Israeli individuals or entities, vessels managed and/or operated by Israeli individuals or entities, vessels heading to Israel and to ships of companies that call Israel,” the firm said.
The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and other ships associated with its carrier group are operating in the Red Sea now. The US military said Wednesday that its forces in the region “remain vigilant.”
“We will do what is necessary to protect and defend US personnel, assets and partners,” it said.
Houthi attacks on ships began in November 2023.
