The Houthis have launched hundreds of attacks against shipping in the Red Sea [Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Images]
Yemen’s Houthis have announced the resumption of a blockade on Israeli ships navigating the Red Sea in response to Israel’s blocking of aid and electricity to Gaza.
On Tuesday, a Houthi deadline on the resumption of the entry of aid into Gaza expired, with the group saying that a ban would come into immediate effect. Israel has blocked all aid into Gaza since 2 March.
“This ban will remain in effect until the crossings to the Gaza Strip are reopened and humanitarian aid, including food and medical supplies, is allowed to enter,” the group said in a statement carried by Reuters.
Since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza, the Houthis have launched attacks against over 100 vessels in and around the Bab al-Mandab Strait that connects the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, sinking two vessels, seizing one and killing four people.
Houthi attacks have also seen drone and ballistic missile attacks against Israeli cities including Tel Aviv, with some causing deaths and injuries. Israel itself has conducted strikes on the group, including destroying fuel storage and port facilities in Hodeidah.
Likewise, the UK and US have conducted airstrikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen over the attacks on shipping.
The announcement comes as Gaza’s humanitarian situation continues to worsen following Israel’s blockade, which on Sunday saw the cutting of electricity to the enclave.
The UN’s Humanitarian Agency (OCHA) warned on Tuesday that the aid halt had reversed the progress made on the humanitarian situation in Gaza following the start of a ceasefire in the enclave.
The agency added that “fuel for backup generators at water and health facilities is running low, cooking gas prices are rising, and distributions of flour, fresh produce and shelter materials have been disrupted.”
Doctors without Borders (MSF) on Tuesday condemned the decision, with MSF emergency coordinator Myriam Laaroussi calling the decision “outrageous.”
“Humanitarian aid should never be used as a bargaining chip in war,” she added.
The new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also issued a statement on X calling for the resumption of aid entry and condemning its use of aid as “political tools”.
Amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Israel has scaled up its attacks on the enclave, with reports of Israeli shelling the coast of north Gaza according to Al-Jazeera.
The outlet also reported a Palestinian girl was killed in Deir el-Balah by Israeli fire overnight, with Israeli fire killing a person in Khan Younis and a man in Rafah on Wednesday morning.
Talks on the resumption of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza are currently underway in Qatar, with US envoy Steve Witkoff arriving to the capital Doha to participate.
Meanwhile, Israel is continuing its assault on the occupied West Bank, with Palestinian news agency Wafa reporting that widespread raids were carried out on the town of Araba south of Jenin.
In the city of Qalqilya, Israeli forces bulldozed the house of a deceased resident Ali Khalil, with Israeli confirming army and border forces destroyed the house.
In Jerusalem, settlers with the protection of Israeli police stormed the al-Aqsa mosque, according to Wafa, which added the group performed prayers at the site. Video shared through Quds News Network showed the group on the grounds of the site with police.
