Yemen’s Houthi leader issues four-day ultimatum to Israel over Gaza aid blockade
By isabelle // 2025-03-10
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  • Yemen’s Ansarallah leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi issues a four-day ultimatum to Israel, demanding it lift the Gaza aid blockade and resume ceasefire talks.
  • Yemen threatens to reimpose a naval blockade targeting Israeli-linked ships in key maritime regions if Israel fails to comply.
  • The Houthis accuse Israel of delaying ceasefire obligations and have previously disrupted global shipping in solidarity with Gaza.
  • The Gaza humanitarian crisis worsens as Israel reimposes a total aid blockade, with over 48,000 Palestinians killed and 111,000 wounded.
  • The Houthi ultimatum risks further regional destabilization and global trade disruptions, drawing international condemnation and Hamas’s support.
Yemen’s Ansarallah leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi has issued a four-day ultimatum to Israel, demanding it lift its blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza and resume ceasefire talks. If Israel fails to comply, Yemen has threatened to reimpose a naval blockade targeting Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and Mediterranean. The announcement, made on March 7, underscores the growing regional fallout from the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the deepening involvement of Yemen’s Houthi movement in the crisis. The Yemeni Armed Forces (YAF), led by Ansarallah, had previously suspended military operations following a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza earlier this year. However, al-Houthi accused Israel of “procrastinating” in fulfilling its obligations under the ceasefire agreement, particularly regarding the delivery of humanitarian aid. “We meet the siege with a siege,” al-Houthi declared, emphasizing that Yemen “cannot stand by and watch the Israeli enemy’s aggressive approach in starving the Palestinian people in Gaza.” Since November 2023, the YAF has targeted U.S., UK, and Israeli-linked commercial ships and warships in key maritime regions, including the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. These operations, which disrupted global shipping and forced vessels to take longer, costlier routes around Africa, were carried out in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The Houthis have also claimed responsibility for downing 15 U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones and firing on a U.S. F-16 jet, demonstrating their growing military capabilities despite facing hundreds of airstrikes from the U.S. and UK. The group’s actions have drawn international condemnation, with the U.S. re-designating the Houthis as a terrorist organization earlier this year. However, former U.S. Special Envoy for Yemen Timothy Lenderking acknowledged that “there is no military solution” to the conflict, highlighting the complexity of the situation.

Ceasefire stalemate and humanitarian crisis

The Houthi ultimatum comes amid a stalemate in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. Israel recently reimposed a total blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza, demanding an extension of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement. Hamas has rejected this, insisting on strict adherence to the original terms and calling for international pressure on Israel. The blockade has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 48,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 111,000 wounded since the war began. The United Nations and human rights organizations have warned that Israel’s actions may constitute war crimes, citing the use of starvation as a weapon of war. “As the occupying power, Israel has a legal obligation to ensure the provision of the necessities of life for Palestinians living under its control,” the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) stated. “Any denial of the entry of the necessities of life for civilians may amount to collective punishment.”

Regional and global implications

The Houthi threat to resume naval operations could further destabilize the region and disrupt global trade routes. The group’s ability to target ships in strategic waterways has already forced major shipping companies to reroute vessels, increasing costs and delivery times. If the Houthis follow through on their warning, the economic and geopolitical consequences could be significant. Hamas has welcomed the Houthi announcement, calling it a “brave decision” that reflects the group’s ongoing support for Palestinians as Israel carries out its genocidal campaign in Gaza. Meanwhile, Israel has yet to respond to the ultimatum, leaving the international community to watch closely as the four-day deadline approaches. Sources for this article include: TheCradle.co AlJazeera.com Reuters.com
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