Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels have launched the “Fourth phase” of their maritime blockade against Israel, vowing to target any merchant ship operated by companies that do business with Israeli ports, regardless of the vessel’s flag or destination. In a televised statement, Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree warned companies that if they continue such dealings even indirectly their ships will be attacked wherever within reach of the group’s missiles or drones. This escalation marks a further intensification of the group’s campaign, which already disrupted more than 100 commercial vessels between November 2023 and December 2024, including the sinking of two bulk carriers Magic Seas and Eternity C in recent months, resulting in casualties and hostage situations.
The Houthis framed the move as solidarity with Palestinians amid the Gaza war, demanding international pressure on Israel to end its military operations and lift the blockade on Gaza to avoid further escalation. Analysts say this new phase significantly broadens the scope of risk to global shipping and deepens the Red Sea crisis a vital maritime route that handles nearly $1 trillion in annual trade already strained by prior attacks and round-the-clock vigilance from Western naval coalitions like Operation Prosperity Guardian.
Israeli officials have previously vowed retaliation if Houthi missiles reach Israeli targets, and have already conducted strikes on Houthi-controlled ports such as Hudaydah in Yemen in recent months. The latest threat adds pressure on global logistics, heightening insurance costs and prompting shipping firms to reroute cargo traffic around southern Africa a costly measure already in place since earlier Houthi attacks disrupted standard Red Sea lanes.
