Hamas praised Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Wednesday after they announced plans to resume attacks on Israeli-linked shipping, calling it a demonstration of their true commitment to the Palestinian cause.
The Houthis, who control Sanaa and parts of Yemen’s Red Sea coast, declared on Tuesday that they would reinstate their ban on Israeli ships passing through key waterways, including the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Gulf of Aden, and the Arabian Sea.
This decision followed Israel’s failure to meet a deadline for the resumption of humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza.
Israel had previously blocked all aid to Gaza as part of efforts to pressure Hamas during ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
Hamas welcomed the Houthi announcement as a reflection of Yemen’s genuine stance in support of Palestine, calling for more global action to pressure Israel and lift the siege on Gaza.
The Houthis had previously launched drone and missile attacks on Israeli-linked ships during the Gaza conflict, prompting retaliatory strikes from the US and UK. Their attacks ceased when a ceasefire was agreed in January but will resume until Gaza’s humanitarian aid is allowed to flow again.
