Yemen’s Houthi rebels have indicated a cessation of their assaults on Israel and maritime traffic in the Red Sea as a fragile truce remains in place in the Gaza Strip. In an undisclosed communication to Hamas’ Qassam Brigades shared online by the group, the Houthis have provided their most explicit indication that their attacks have ceased. The message from Maj.-Gen. Yusuf Hassan al-Madani, the Houthi military’s chief of staff, states that they are closely monitoring the situation and have vowed to reinstate military operations within Israel and impose a ban on Israeli navigation in the Red and Arabian Seas if Israel resumes aggression against Gaza.
Despite the absence of a formal announcement from the Houthis acknowledging the suspension of their activities in the area, no attacks have been attributed to the rebel group since the ceasefire commenced on October 10. While the rebels claimed their actions were directed at vessels linked to Israel, the targeted ships had minimal or no association with the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The Houthi campaign has resulted in the deaths of at least nine sailors and the sinking of four ships, disrupting shipping in the Red Sea, a vital route for approximately $1 trillion in goods annually before the conflict. The most recent attack targeted the Dutch-flagged cargo ship Minervagracht on September 29, resulting in the death of one crew member and injuring another.
The attacks have significantly impacted traffic through Egypt’s Suez Canal, a key source of revenue for Egypt, generating $10 billion in 2023 amid economic challenges. The International Monetary Fund reported that the Houthi assaults led to a $6 billion reduction in foreign exchange inflows from the Suez Canal in 2024. Although ship traffic has slightly increased during the lull in attacks, many shippers are still opting to circumvent Africa via the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The United States conducted a vigorous bombing campaign against the rebels earlier this year, which was halted by President Donald Trump before his Middle East visit. The Biden administration also carried out strikes targeting the Houthis, including utilizing B-2 bombers to hit underground bunkers used by the group.