Amidst fierce Israeli assaults on Yemen, supposedly in response to Houthi attacks on Israel, unexpected news out of the United States momentarily stirred the situation. US President Donald Trump declared on Tuesday that a ceasefire had been agreed upon between the Houthis and his administration, asserting that the Houthis had yielded and that this was a victory for the United States. Moreover, he commended the Houthis for their courage and resilience. This development signaled that US bombardment of Yemen would cease, and retaliatory attacks against ships in the Red Sea by the Houthis in support of Palestinians in Gaza would halt. Not once did Trump mention Israel in his announcement, an omission seen by several as an indication of a possible rift between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Houthis, for their part, stated that their agreement did not extend to Israel and would persist in their onslaught until aid could enter Gaza, putting an end to the starvation faced by its populace.
Israel, which has been targeting Yemen, argued that its motive was to deter the Houthis who seized control of Sanaa in 2014 and previously fought a protracted war against Yemen’s internationally recognized government. Israel’s recent strike mimicked its tactics against the trapped populations of Gaza, issuing warnings to flee from three Yemeni ports in Hodeidah governorate with a short notice. Whether this escalation was a response to the US ceasefire announcement remains unclear. Experts have, however, noted a growing gap between Netanyahu and Trump. Netanyahu has expressed his frustration with Trump’s Middle East policy and is opposed to US talks with Iran, asserting there is no diplomacy solution, yet talks persist. He attributes Houthi attacks to Iran, claiming Israel’s strikes are directed at “Houthi sponsors”. Trump seems indifferent, leaving out any mention of Houthi attacks on Israel, which continue. The ceasefire, seen as a US pullback because the Houthis have not targeted international shipping but have continued to attack Israel and US ships, has spurred recent Israeli and Houthi attacks. The Houthis vow retaliation, with the statement calling for an end to Israeli attacks and allowing aid into Gaza. Experts argue that Israel’s aim to cripple Houthi military capabilities or deter their attacks on Israel is unrealistic given the size of Yemen and its terrain, which provides ample hiding spots. With ongoing Israeli strikes, Yemen’s dire human situation has worsened, and analysts predict further humanitarian crises due to this escalation.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/12/do-israels-attacks-make-a-difference-to-yemen-houthis?traffic_source=rss
