Yemen's Houthi militant group has announced plans to resume attacks on Israeli ships in response to Israel's decision to block humanitarian aid from entering Gaza. This declaration marks the first escalation in nearly two months.

Yahya Saree, the Houthi military spokesman, warned that "any Israeli ship that tries to defy the ban in the announced operation areas will be targeted." The group declared that their actions will continue until crossings into Gaza are reopened, allowing essential supplies such as food and medicine to enter the region.

The Houthi-imposed "ban" applies to vessels passing through critical maritime routes, including the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden. While Israel has not formally responded to the threat, concerns are rising about the potential disruption to global trade routes.

The Houthis, who are backed by Iran and operate from northern Yemen, have previously carried out missile and drone attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Their campaign, which began following the Hamas assault on Israel in October 2023, significantly impacted global shipping markets and escalated regional tensions.

A temporary ceasefire was established in January 2024 as part of efforts to de-escalate the Gaza conflict. During this period, the Houthis indicated they might halt attacks on vessels linked to the United States and the United Kingdom, both of which had conducted airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen during the conflict. Despite the lull in hostilities, major Western shipping companies have remained hesitant to resume operations in the region without further guarantees of safety. Renewed Houthi aggression could further deter commercial shipping from passing through these vital waterways.

The potential escalation may also hinder the recovery of the Suez Canal, a vital economic resource for Egypt. The canal's revenue plummeted by roughly 60% due to the earlier attacks, with projected financial losses reaching $7 billion by the end of the fiscal year in June.

In January 2024, former US President Donald Trump reclassified the Houthis as a terrorist organization, reinforcing international concerns about the group's destabilizing actions.

The ongoing Gaza conflict has further intensified regional instability. A six-week truce, which allowed for limited exchanges of hostages and detainees, expired on March 2. Since then, Israel has imposed stricter controls on Gaza, halting aid deliveries and commercial shipments, while warning of additional restrictions unless Hamas agrees to key negotiation terms. Israel’s Foreign Ministry has accused Hamas of seizing humanitarian aid trucks and converting supplies into weaponry.

The Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi issued a recent ultimatum demanding aid access to Gaza. In response, Israel suspended its already limited electricity supply to Gaza, citing Hamas' involvement in the ongoing hostage crisis.