Yemen’s Houthi rebels have issued Israel a four-day ultimatum to lift its blockade on food, medicine, and aid into Gaza. The group has threatened to resume “naval operations” against Israel if the blockade is not lifted. This ultimatum comes after the Houthis’ attacks on ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden subsided in January following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The Houthis, supported by Iran, launched over 100 attacks on ships and killed at least four seafarers. These actions disrupted global shipping and forced companies to reroute to more expensive and longer journeys.
Hamas has welcomed the Houthi announcement, emphasizing their support for the Palestinians in Gaza. The Houthis have also stated that they will take military action if the US and Israel try to forcefully displace Palestinians from Gaza.
The blockade on aid to Gaza entered its seventh day. The United Nations and rights groups have denounced the Israeli blockade as a potential war crime. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights stated that Israel has a legal obligation to ensure the provision of necessities to Palestinians under its control.
The blockade has caused shortages of medical supplies and left hospitals in Gaza struggling to care for the wounded. Al Jazeera reported that healthcare workers are in desperate need of fuel and medical supplies, with over 100,000 Palestinians injured by Israel’s military attacks on Gaza.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/8/yemens-houthis-threaten-israel-over-gaza-aid-blockade?traffic_source=rss
