Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced Monday evening that they plan to impose a naval blockade on Israel’s Haifa port, escalating their response to what they describe as intensified Israeli aggression in Gaza.
Houthi military spokesperson Yehya Saree declared that “all ships present in or heading to the port of Haifa” are now considered targets, effectively adding the port to the group’s list of military objectives.
The decision, he stated, comes “in response to the Israeli enemy’s escalation of its brutal aggression against our people and in Gaza.” Saree also noted that Houthi attacks on Israel would cease if the war on Gaza ends and the blockade is lifted.
The threat follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement that Israel would “take control” of all of Gaza as part of an intensified campaign against Hamas.
Since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023—triggered by a Hamas attack on Israel—the Iran-backed Houthis have intermittently launched missiles and drones at Israeli targets. Their attacks paused during a two-month ceasefire, which collapsed in March.
The Houthis have also threatened international shipping in protest of Israel’s blockade of Gaza. In response, U.S. forces have launched near-daily airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen to curb the threat.
