Houthi Rebels Declare Naval Blockade on Haifa Port

Yemen's Houthi rebels announced yesterday that their forces have 'decided to implement the leadership's instructions to start enforcing a sea blockade on Haifa Port.' Accordingly, the Houthis warned that 'companies holding ships in this port or on their way to it will be included in the target bank.' They added that the forces 'will not hesitate to take further steps required to support the Palestinian people and their resistance.'

Houthi spokesperson, Yahya Saree, stated in an announcement that this decision came in the wake of Israel's escalation in the Gaza Strip and the expansion of the war. According to him, this decision came after 'the success of Yemen's distinguished forces in imposing a blockade on Eilat Port and disrupting its operation.'

It should be noted that since the collapse of the ceasefire in Gaza on March 18, the Houthis have renewed missile fire towards Israel. At the beginning of the month, missile fragments fell in an open area near Ben Gurion Airport, causing property damage and injuring four people. The attack managed to shake the confidence of many foreign airlines, which have since frozen or suspended their flights to Israel.