Yemen’s Houthis threaten Israel over Gaza aid blockade

Yemen's Houthi rebels have issued a final ultimatum to Israel, demanding it lift the blockade on food, medicine, and aid to the Gaza Strip within four days, or they will resume "maritime operations" against Israel. This statement suggests that the Houthi attacks, which had subsided somewhat after Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, may escalate again.

Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said in a video statement: "We are giving notice to the whole world: we are giving a deadline of four days so that mediators can continue their efforts. If, after four days, the Israeli enemy continues to prevent aid from entering Gaza, maintaining the complete closure of the crossings, and continues to prevent food and medicine from entering Gaza, we will resume maritime operations against the Israeli enemy."

Previously, after Israel launched its war on Gaza, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched more than 100 attacks on ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, claiming these attacks were in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza. These attacks resulted in the sinking of two ships, the seizure of another, and the deaths of at least four sailors, disrupting global shipping and forcing companies to reroute, choosing to bypass southern Africa, leading to increased transportation time and costs.

U.S. President Donald Trump redesignated the Houthi rebels as a "terrorist organization" earlier this week. Hamas welcomed the Houthi statement, calling it "a courageous decision... an extension of the support and assistance they (the Houthis) have provided during the 15-month war on Gaza."

The United Nations, human rights organizations, and countries around the world have stated that Israel's blockade may constitute a war crime. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said in a statement that Israel's actions have caused prices in Gaza to skyrocket and have raised fears of renewed bombardment and starvation. The office also noted that, due to the blockade, the health sector reported that at least eight babies living in makeshift tents have died of cold in the past two weeks.

The OHCHR emphasized: "As the occupying power, Israel has a legal obligation to ensure the provision of essential supplies to the Palestinians living under its control. Any denial of access to essential supplies for civilians may constitute collective punishment. Using starvation as a weapon of war is a war crime."

According to Al Jazeera's Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Khan Younis in southern Gaza, medical workers are doing everything they can to continue providing basic medical services. "We are talking about more than 100,000 people who have been injured in the Israeli military attacks on Gaza. Now, this ban is raising huge concerns about two important issues: fuel and medical supplies," he said. "Hospitals and medical centers desperately need fuel to help medical teams continue to provide services. The vast majority of hospitals rely on emergency generators, and now, because of the ban on fuel trucks entering, the situation is getting worse."

Israel's war on Gaza has killed at least 48,440 Palestinians and wounded 111,845. Authorities in the Gaza Strip say the death toll is likely at least 61,709, as thousands of Palestinians buried under the rubble are presumed dead.