Houthis Vow to Resume Attacks on Israeli Ships Over Gaza Aid

The Red Sea, a critical artery for global trade, is once again on the brink of chaos. The Houthis, a Yemeni rebel group backed by Iran, have vowed to resume their attacks on Israeli ships, citing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza as their justification. This escalation threatens to disrupt the delicate balance of power in the Middle East and send shockwaves through the global economy.

The Houthis' declaration comes at a time when tensions in the region are already at a boiling point. The conflict in Gaza, which has been raging for over a hundred days, has left thousands dead and displaced millions. The Houthis, who have long been supporters of the Palestinian cause, see their attacks on Israeli ships as a legitimate act of resistance against what they describe as Israel's relentless aggression.

The Houthis' strategy is clear: by targeting Israeli ships, they aim to disrupt the flow of goods and supplies to Israel, thereby putting pressure on the Israeli government to cease its military operations in Gaza. However, the implications of their actions go far beyond the immediate conflict. The Red Sea is a crucial conduit for maritime trade between Asia and Europe, and any disruption in this region can have far-reaching consequences for global trade and supply chains.

The Houthis' attacks have already forced several commercial vessels to avoid the Red Sea by switching to use the Cape of Good Hope (i.e., Cape Route) rather than the traditional Suez Canal. According to UNCTAD, the number of monthly Suez Canal transits fell by 41% between October 2023 and January 2024. This disruption is unprecedented, with the previous canal closure taking place in 1967. The economic ramifications are severe, with companies and consumers in Europe facing higher prices due to increased shipping costs. For instance, Egypt, which relies heavily on Suez Canal revenues, has seen a decline of six billion USD in critical hard currency revenues.

The Houthis' attacks have also raised questions about the internal policies of the Houthi movement. The Houthis have been subjected to political accusations, both at home and abroad, that targeting ships is a way to divert attention from their responsibilities toward the Yemeni people. In other words, rather than working to achieve a lasting peace in Yemen, ensuring the payment of public employee salaries, and establishing a national government, they seem to prioritize the symbolic sympathy of the Arab and Islamic world.

The formation of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an international military coalition led by the United States and Britain, aims to protect the Red Sea from Houthi attacks. However, the effectiveness of this coalition is questionable due to the absence of key Arab nations, including Egypt, UAE, and Saudi Arabia. These nations have strategic considerations that prioritize diplomatic solutions and regional stability over military intervention.

The Houthis' declaration that "all American and British interests as legitimate targets" underscores the potential for further escalation and the widening of the conflict. The long-term consequences for regional stability and global security are significant. The conflict in the Red Sea has already disrupted global trade, with the number of monthly Suez Canal transits falling by 41% between October 2023 and January 2024. This disruption has had serious consequences for global supply chains and economic growth, as shipping companies are forced to route ships around the Cape of Good Hope. The economic ramifications are evident in the statement that "Egypt, a country that is struggling with a weak economy, has seen critical hard currency revenues from the canal decline by six billion USD." This disruption also has implications for global security, as the Red Sea is a crucial conduit of maritime trade between Asia and Europe. The potential for further escalation and the widening of the conflict could have serious consequences for global security, as the conflict could draw in other regional and international actors.

The Houthis' attacks on Israeli ships in the Red Sea have significant implications for global shipping routes and maritime trade, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and broader geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The Houthis have declared that navigation in the Red Sea would remain secure for all international merchant vessels, except those bound for occupied Palestine. They described their targeting of Israeli ships as a legitimate act rooted in their humanitarian, Arab, and Islamic responsibility toward Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, who have endured relentless aggression for over a hundred days. This stance has led to a series of direct military operations against Israel, including missile and drone strikes towards the Israeli port of Eilat. For instance, on October 19, the Pentagon announced that the destroyer USS Carney had intercepted multiple Houthi missiles in the northern Red Sea, and other projectiles were shot down over the territories of neighboring countries, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt. On November 19, the Houthis proceeded to seize and detain the cargo ship Galaxy Leader, while launching attacks on other Israeli ships. Subsequently, on December 9, they announced a prohibition on ships from all nationalities traveling to and from Israeli ports, unless humanitarian aid was permitted to enter the Gaza Strip. These actions have forced several commercial vessels to avoid the Red Sea by switching to use the Cape of Good Hope (i.e., Cape Route) rather than the traditional Suez Canal. According to UNCTAD, the number of monthly Suez Canal transits fell by 41% between October 2023 and January 2024. The Suez Canal is a crucial conduit of maritime trade between Asia and Europe and ranks among the largest globally by cargo volume. This disruption is unprecedented with the previous canal closure taking place in 1967. The extent of impact from the Red Sea crisis spans several dimensions, including on global trade, global supply chains, and economic growth and development. Demand-side challenges are exacerbated as shippers respond to higher freight rates and consider alternative logistics and supply chain options. The effects reverberate across shipping networks and can alter the port-call landscape. For this purpose, we aim to analyze the impact of disruptions caused to container ports by the Red Sea crisis by focusing on container shipping alliance networks that operate on the Asia-Europe and Asia-Mediterranean trade routes. The Houthis' attacks have also raised questions about the internal policies of the Houthi movement. The Houthis have been subjected to political accusations, both at home and abroad, that targeting ships is a way to divert attention from their responsibilities toward the Yemeni people. In other words, rather than working to achieve a lasting peace in Yemen, ensuring the payment of public employee salaries, and establishing a national government, they seem to prioritize the symbolic sympathy of the Arab and Islamic world.

The Houthis' attacks on Israeli ships in the Red Sea have significant implications for global shipping routes and maritime trade, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and broader geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The Houthis have declared that navigation in the Red Sea would remain secure for all international merchant vessels, except those bound for occupied Palestine. They described their targeting of Israeli ships as a legitimate act rooted in their humanitarian, Arab, and Islamic responsibility toward Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, who have endured relentless aggression for over a hundred days. This stance has led to a series of direct military operations against Israel, including missile and drone strikes towards the Israeli port of Eilat. For instance, on October 19, the Pentagon announced that the destroyer USS Carney had intercepted multiple Houthi missiles in the northern Red Sea, and other projectiles were shot down over the territories of neighboring countries, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt. On November 19, the Houthis proceeded to seize and detain the cargo ship Galaxy Leader, while launching attacks on other Israeli ships. Subsequently, on December 9, they announced a prohibition on ships from all nationalities traveling to and from Israeli ports, unless humanitarian aid was permitted to enter the Gaza Strip. These actions have forced several commercial vessels to avoid the Red Sea by switching to use the Cape of Good Hope (i.e., Cape Route) rather than the traditional Suez Canal. According to UNCTAD, the number of monthly Suez Canal transits fell by 41% between October 2023 and January 2024. The Suez Canal is a crucial conduit of maritime trade between Asia and Europe and ranks among the largest globally by cargo volume. This disruption is unprecedented with the previous canal closure taking place in 1967. The extent of impact from the Red Sea crisis spans several dimensions, including on global trade, global supply chains, and economic growth and development. Demand-side challenges are exacerbated as shippers respond to higher freight rates and consider alternative logistics and supply chain options. The effects reverberate across shipping networks and can alter the port-call landscape. For this purpose, we aim to analyze the impact of disruptions caused to container ports by the Red Sea crisis by focusing on container shipping alliance networks that operate on the Asia-Europe and Asia-Mediterranean trade routes. The Houthis' attacks have also raised questions about the internal policies of the Houthi movement. The Houthis have been subjected to political accusations, both at home and abroad, that targeting ships is a way to divert attention from their responsibilities toward the Yemeni people. In other words, rather than working to achieve a lasting peace in Yemen, ensuring the payment of public employee salaries, and establishing a national government, they seem to prioritize the symbolic sympathy of the Arab and Islamic world.

The Houthis' attacks on Israeli ships in the Red Sea have significant implications for global shipping routes and maritime trade, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and broader geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The Houthis have declared that navigation in the Red Sea would remain secure for all international merchant vessels, except those bound for occupied Palestine. They described their targeting of Israeli ships as a legitimate act rooted in their humanitarian, Arab, and Islamic responsibility toward Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, who have endured relentless aggression for over a hundred days. This stance has led to a series of direct military operations against Israel, including missile and drone strikes towards the Israeli port of Eilat. For instance, on October 19, the Pentagon announced that the destroyer USS Carney had intercepted multiple Houthi missiles in the northern Red Sea, and other projectiles were shot down over the territories of neighboring countries, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt. On November 19, the Houthis proceeded to seize and detain the cargo ship Galaxy Leader, while launching attacks on other Israeli ships. Subsequently, on December 9, they announced a prohibition on ships from all nationalities traveling to and from Israeli ports, unless humanitarian aid was permitted to enter the Gaza Strip. These actions have forced several commercial vessels to avoid the Red Sea by switching to use the Cape of Good Hope (i.e., Cape Route) rather than the traditional Suez Canal. According to UNCTAD, the number of monthly Suez Canal transits fell by 41% between October 2023 and January 2024. The Suez Canal is a crucial conduit of maritime trade between Asia and Europe and ranks among the largest globally by cargo volume. This disruption is unprecedented with the previous canal closure taking place in 1967. The extent of impact from the Red Sea crisis spans several dimensions, including on global trade, global supply chains, and economic growth and development. Demand-side challenges are exacerbated as shippers respond to higher freight rates and consider alternative logistics and supply chain options. The effects reverberate across shipping networks and can alter the port-call landscape. For this purpose, we aim to analyze the impact of disruptions caused to container ports by the Red Sea crisis by focusing on container shipping alliance networks that operate on the Asia-Europe and Asia-Mediterranean trade routes. The Houthis' attacks have also raised questions about the internal policies of the Houthi movement. The Houthis have been subjected to political accusations, both at home and abroad, that targeting ships is a way to divert attention from their responsibilities toward the Yemeni people. In other words, rather than working to achieve a lasting peace in Yemen, ensuring the payment of public employee salaries, and establishing a national government, they seem to prioritize the symbolic sympathy of the Arab and Islamic world.

The Houthis' attacks on Israeli ships in the Red Sea have significant implications for global shipping routes and maritime trade, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and broader geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The Houthis have declared that navigation in the Red Sea would remain secure for all international merchant vessels, except those bound for occupied Palestine. They described their targeting of Israeli ships as a legitimate act rooted in their humanitarian, Arab, and Islamic responsibility toward Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, who have endured relentless aggression for over a hundred days. This stance has led to a series of direct military operations against Israel, including missile and drone strikes towards the Israeli port of Eilat. For instance, on October 19, the Pentagon announced that the destroyer USS Carney had intercepted multiple Houthi missiles in the northern Red Sea, and other projectiles were shot down over the territories of neighboring countries, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt. On November 19, the Houthis proceeded to seize and detain the cargo ship Galaxy Leader, while launching attacks on other Israeli ships. Subsequently, on December 9, they announced a prohibition on ships from all nationalities traveling to and from Israeli ports, unless humanitarian aid was permitted to enter the Gaza Strip. These actions have forced several commercial vessels to avoid the Red Sea by switching to use the Cape of Good Hope (i.e., Cape Route) rather than the traditional Suez Canal. According to UNCTAD, the number of monthly Suez Canal transits fell by 41% between October 2023 and January 2024. The Suez Canal is a crucial conduit of maritime trade between Asia and Europe and ranks among the largest globally by cargo volume. This disruption is unprecedented with the previous canal closure taking place in 1967. The extent of impact from the Red Sea crisis spans several dimensions, including on global trade, global supply chains, and economic growth and development. Demand-side challenges are exacerbated as shippers respond to higher freight rates and consider alternative logistics and supply chain options. The effects reverberate across shipping networks and can alter the port-call landscape. For this purpose, we aim to analyze the impact of disruptions caused to container ports by the Red Sea crisis by focusing on container shipping alliance networks that operate on the Asia-Europe and Asia-Mediterranean trade routes. The Houthis' attacks have also raised questions about the internal policies of the Houthi movement. The Houthis have been subjected to political accusations, both at home and abroad, that targeting ships is a way to divert attention from their responsibilities toward the Yemeni people. In other words, rather than working to achieve a lasting peace in Yemen, ensuring the payment of public employee salaries, and establishing a national government, they seem to prioritize the symbolic sympathy of the Arab and Islamic world.

The Houthis' attacks on Israeli ships in the Red Sea have significant implications for global shipping routes and maritime trade, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and broader geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The Houthis have declared that navigation in the Red Sea would remain secure for all international merchant vessels, except those bound for occupied Palestine. They described their targeting of Israeli ships as a legitimate act rooted in their humanitarian, Arab, and Islamic responsibility toward Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, who have endured relentless aggression for over a hundred days. This stance has led to a series of direct military operations against Israel, including missile and drone strikes towards the Israeli port of Eilat. For instance, on October 19, the Pentagon announced that the destroyer USS Carney had intercepted multiple Houthi missiles in the northern Red Sea, and other projectiles were shot down over the territories of neighboring countries, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt. On November 19, the Houthis proceeded to seize and detain the cargo ship Galaxy Leader, while launching attacks on other Israeli ships. Subsequently, on December 9, they announced a prohibition on ships from all nationalities traveling to and from Israeli ports, unless humanitarian aid was permitted to enter the Gaza Strip. These actions have forced several commercial vessels to avoid the Red Sea by switching to use the Cape of Good Hope (i.e., Cape Route) rather than the traditional Suez Canal. According to UNCTAD, the number of monthly Suez Canal transits fell by 41% between October 2023 and January 2024. The Suez Canal is a crucial conduit of maritime trade between Asia and Europe and ranks among the largest globally by cargo volume. This disruption is unprecedented with the previous canal closure taking place in 1967. The extent of impact from the Red Sea crisis spans several dimensions, including on global trade, global supply chains, and economic growth and development. Demand-side challenges are exacerbated as shippers respond to higher freight rates and consider alternative logistics and supply chain options. The effects reverberate across shipping networks and can alter the port-call landscape. For this purpose, we aim to analyze the impact of disruptions caused to container ports by the Red Sea crisis by focusing on container shipping alliance networks that operate on the Asia-Europe and Asia-Mediterranean trade routes. The Houthis' attacks have also raised questions about the internal policies of the Houthi movement. The Houthis have been subjected to political accusations, both at home and abroad, that targeting ships is a way to divert attention from their responsibilities toward the Yemeni people. In other words, rather than working to achieve a lasting peace in Yemen, ensuring the payment of public employee salaries, and establishing a national government, they seem to prioritize the symbolic sympathy of the Arab and Islamic world.

The Houthis' attacks on Israeli ships in the Red Sea have significant implications for global shipping routes and maritime trade, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and broader geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The Houthis have declared that navigation in the Red Sea would remain secure for all international merchant vessels, except those bound for occupied Palestine. They described their targeting of Israeli ships as a legitimate act rooted in their humanitarian, Arab, and Islamic responsibility toward Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, who have endured relentless aggression for over a hundred days. This stance has led to a series of direct military operations against Israel, including missile and drone strikes towards the Israeli port of Eilat. For instance, on October 19, the Pentagon announced that the destroyer USS Carney had intercepted multiple Houthi missiles in the northern Red Sea, and other projectiles were shot down over the territories of neighboring countries, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt. On November 19, the Houthis proceeded to seize and detain the cargo ship Galaxy Leader, while launching attacks on other Israeli ships. Subsequently, on December 9, they announced a prohibition on ships from all nationalities traveling to and from Israeli ports, unless humanitarian aid was permitted to enter the Gaza Strip. These actions have forced several commercial vessels to avoid the Red Sea by switching to use the Cape of Good Hope (i.e., Cape Route) rather than the traditional Suez Canal. According to UNCTAD, the number of monthly Suez Canal transits fell by 41% between October 2023 and January 2024. The Suez Canal is a crucial conduit of maritime trade between Asia and Europe and ranks among the largest globally by cargo volume. This disruption is unprecedented with the previous canal closure taking place in 1967. The extent of impact from the Red Sea crisis spans several dimensions, including on global trade, global supply chains, and economic growth and development. Demand-side challenges are exacerbated as shippers respond to higher freight rates and consider alternative logistics and supply chain options. The effects rever