Yemen’s Houthi rebels have indicated a cessation of their assaults on Israel and maritime traffic in the Red Sea as a fragile ceasefire persists in the Gaza Strip. In an undisclosed communication to Hamas’ Qassam Brigades shared online by the group, the Houthis conveyed a clear message that their attacks have ceased. The letter, attributed to Maj.-Gen. Yusuf Hassan al-Madani, the Houthi military’s chief of staff, warned of resuming military actions within Israel and restricting Israeli navigation in the Red and Arabian Seas if aggression against Gaza resumes.
Although the Houthis have not formally acknowledged the halt of their activities in the region, there have been no new attacks since the ceasefire commenced on October 10. The rebel group gained global attention during the Israel-Hamas conflict with their assaults on shipping and Israel, purportedly to pressure Israel to end hostilities. Notably, the targeted vessels were not directly linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The attacks claimed the lives of at least nine sailors and led to the sinking of four ships, disrupting Red Sea trade routes valued at approximately $1 trillion annually before the conflict.
The latest recorded attack by the rebels targeted the Dutch-flagged cargo ship Minervagracht on September 29, resulting in one crew member’s death and another’s injury. The assaults severely impacted traffic through Egypt’s Suez Canal, which is vital for Egypt’s economy, contributing $10 billion in 2023. The International Monetary Fund estimated that Houthi attacks led to a $6 billion reduction in foreign exchange inflows from the Suez Canal in 2024.
Despite a recent slight increase in traffic due to the lull in attacks, many shipping companies opt to circumvent Africa via the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The U.S. initiated a rigorous bombing campaign against the rebels earlier this year, which was halted by President Donald Trump before his Middle East trip. The Biden administration also conducted strikes on the Houthis, utilizing B-2 bombers to target alleged underground bunkers utilized by the rebel group.
