Houthis to Limit Attacks on Israel-linked Ships if Gaza Ceasefire Holds

The Houthis, Iran's terrorist proxy militia in Yemen, have announced a shift in their approach towards commercial shipping in the Red Sea, stating that they will limit their attacks to Israel-linked ships provided that the Gaza ceasefire is fully implemented. The Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC), which works between Houthi forces and commercial shipping operators, revealed the change in a statement issued on January 19.

According to the HOCC, the Houthis will halt their "sanctions" against ships connected to the US or UK, as well as those sailing under their flags, as long as the terms of the ceasefire agreement are respected. They added that these sanctions will be reinstated in the event of any "aggression against Yemen" from the United States, United Kingdom, or Israel.

The statement comes after a long period of increasing tensions and attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, which is a vital shipping route for global trade. The Houthis have targeted more than 100 vessels since November 2023, sinking two ships, seizing another, and killing at least four seafarers. Many of the world's largest shipping companies have diverted their vessels around southern Africa to avoid the region due to the escalating risk of attack.

The Houthis have been increasingly vocal about their support for Hamas in Gaza, with rallies held in Sanaa, Yemen, to show solidarity. However, the impact on the shipping industry has been significant, with executives from the sector expressing caution. Companies such as Hapag-Lloyd and BIMCO are still monitoring the situation and are hesitant to resume operations through the Red Sea until the situation is deemed safe.

While there is optimism for a potential return to normal operations, insurers and shipping companies are closely watching the evolution of the ceasefire, with some waiting for test voyages to determine if war risk premiums will ease. This has meant that vessels sailing through the area face additional costs, sometimes amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars for a single voyage.

Additionally, the Houthis continues to hold the Bahamas-flagged Galaxy Leader and its 25 crew members, who were seized in international waters in November 2023. The crew members, including individuals from the Philippines, Mexico, Romania, Bulgaria, and Ukraine, have reported poor conditions, with some hospitalized for malaria.

Despite the uncertainty, analysts and shipping professionals remain cautiously optimistic that if the ceasefire holds and international forces avoid further escalation, shipping companies may gradually resume operations through the Red Sea.