Yemen’s Houthi rebels declared on Monday their intention to impose a naval blockade on Israel’s port of Haifa, citing retaliation for Israel’s intensified military operations in Gaza.
Houthi military spokesperson Yehya Saree announced, “We will begin enforcing a naval blockade on the port of Haifa.” He warned that all shipping companies with vessels currently docked at or en route to Haifa should consider the port a military target.
“This decision comes in response to the Israeli enemy’s escalating aggression against our people and those in Gaza,” Saree stated. He added that Houthi operations would cease only if the assault on Gaza ends and the blockade there is lifted.
Earlier in the day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel would move to “take control” of the entire Gaza Strip as part of a broader offensive against Hamas.
Despite a ceasefire agreement reached with the United States earlier this month, the Houthis remain committed to attacking Israel in what they describe as solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
Tensions further escalated on Friday when Israeli warplanes bombed two Houthi-controlled ports.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, warned Houthi leadership that continued missile strikes would result in consequences similar to those faced by Hamas leaders eliminated in Israeli operations in Gaza.
