Yemen’s Houthis target ships linked to Israel only after Gaza cease-fire, Reuters reports

LONDON (Reuters) – Yemen’s Houthis will limit their attacks on commercial shipping to vessels linked to Israel after a Gaza ceasefire comes into effect, Yemen’s Center for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said.

The HOCC, which liaises between Houthi forces and commercial shipping operators, said in a Jan. 19 email to shipping industry officials that it was ending “sanctions” on ships owned by US or UK individuals or entities, as well as submarines. Their flags.

“We confirm that there is an attack on the Republic of Yemen by the United States of America, the United Nations.” Government (Tadawl:) … the sanctions will be reinstated against the attacker, the email said, “if such measures are implemented, they will be notified immediately.”

The HOCC said it would stop targeting ships with ties to Israel “when all phases of the agreement are fully implemented.”

Many of the world’s major shipping companies have stopped sailing through the Red Sea and diverted their ships to South Africa to avoid attacks.

The Iran-backed Houthis have carried out more than 100 attacks on ships since November 2023, sinking two ships, capturing another, and killing at least four sailors.

The Houthis have targeted the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, which are connected by the narrow Bab al-Mandab strait between the Horn of Africa and the Middle East.

Hamas released three Israeli hostages in Gaza and Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners on Sunday, the first day of a 15-month ceasefire that has ravaged the Gaza Strip and inflamed the Middle East.