Houthis Claim Missile Strike on Israel, Announce Complete Ban on Israeli Shipping in Red Sea

Yemen’s Houthi movement has claimed responsibility for missile attacks targeting Israel and announced a complete ban on Israeli shipping in the Red Sea, escalating tensions in the region and raising concerns over global maritime trade.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated that Israeli vessels would no longer be permitted to operate in the Red Sea. He warned that any Israeli-related maritime movement would be considered a legitimate military target for Houthi forces.

The Houthis claimed they launched a barrage of missiles against what they described as sensitive Israeli targets and asserted that the strikes successfully achieved their objectives with precision.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military said it had detected the launch of a missile from Yemen toward Israeli territory and activated its air defense systems to intercept the threat.

During previous phases of the Israel-Hamas conflict, Houthi forces repeatedly targeted commercial vessels in the Red Sea, forcing several international shipping companies to reroute their ships around the southern tip of Africa, resulting in longer transit times and increased costs.

Analysts warn that renewed hostilities in the Red Sea could further disrupt global trade and energy supplies while adding pressure to already fragile regional stability and ceasefire efforts.