Houthis stop attacking foreign ships after Gaza ceasefire, except Israeli ships

Yemen's Houthi forces have vowed to continue attacking Israeli-linked ships until the recent ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip is fully implemented.

Yemen's Houthi forces announced on January 20 that they would stop attacking ships in the Red Sea except for those linked to Israel, according to Reuters.

Protesters, mostly Houthi supporters, show support for the Palestinians

The information was released by the Coordination Center for Humanitarian Affairs (based in Yemen), an organization that liaises between Houthi forces and commercial shipping operators.

The Houthis began attacking ships in the area since Israel launched a military campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip in late 2023.

Israel and Hamas have just reached a ceasefire and released hostages. The Houthis said they would stop "punishing" US and British ships but continued to attack Israeli ships.

"We affirm that in the event of aggressive actions by the United States or the United Kingdom against the Republic of Yemen, sanctions will be restored against them. You will be immediately informed of such measures when they are implemented," the Houthis said.

The commercial ship Galaxy Leader was captured by the Houthis off the coast of Yemen in December 2023

Many of the world's largest shipping companies have stopped sailing through the Red Sea and diverted their ships to a detour to the southern tip of Africa to avoid attack.

The Houthis have carried out more than 100 attacks on ships since November 2023, sinking two ships, seizing one and killing at least four people.

The Houthis will stop attacking Israeli-linked ships once all phases of the ceasefire are implemented. Phase 1 of the deal lasts 42 days and the parties will negotiate phase 2 on the 16th day. On the first day of the ceasefire, Hamas released 3 Israeli hostages while Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/houthi-ngung-tan-cong-tau-nuoc-ngoai-sau-lenh-ngung-ban-gaza-tru-tau-israel-18525012019082828.htm