Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, the leader of the Ansar Allah movement (Houthis), announced that a ban on Israeli shipping has officially come into effect in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb, the Gulf of Aden, and the Arabian Sea.

In a televised address, al-Houthi declared that any Israeli vessel navigating through the declared operational areas will be targeted.

He condemned Israel's blockade of Gaza, claiming it is aimed at starving the Palestinian population.

Supporting al-Houthi's statement, Nasser al-Din Amer, Deputy Head of the Media Body of Ansar Allah, explained that the resumption of operations against Israeli ships seeks to aid Palestinian resistance and compel Israel to lift the siege on the Gaza Strip while returning to the terms of a ceasefire agreement.

Amer stated that Israel has imposed a new blockade on Gaza, violating previous ceasefire agreements in an attempt to pressure the resistance to negotiate the return of its prisoners without fulfilling earlier commitments, also aiming to achieve its broader goal of displacing the Palestinian people.

He stated this move coincides with ongoing negotiations and consultations between Palestinian resistance groups and the Israeli side.

The announced ban reinforces support for the Palestinian resistance and underscores the Houthis' commitment to the Palestinian cause, according to Amer.

He confirmed that no Israeli ships had been observed passing through the areas of operations yet, and emphasized that any vessels detected will be directly targeted.

Military spokesperson Yahya Saree, in a filmed statement, articulated that the decision to resume the ban on Israeli shipping follows the expiration of a deadline set by Abdul-Malik al-Houthi for mediators to pressure Israel to reopen crossings and allow aid into Gaza.

In response, Hamas issued a statement welcoming the announcement, characterizing it as reflective of the steadfast position of the Yemeni people and their leadership in support of the Palestinian struggle.

Hamas called upon nations and advocates worldwide to escalate efforts to pressure Israel and its supporters in order to end its aggression and lift the blockade on Gaza.

The Islamic Jihad Movement similarly commended the decision by Ansar Allah, referring to it as a bold step aimed at exerting pressure on Israel and its sponsors to reopen crossings and facilitate aid to the besieged Gaza Strip.

The group highlighted that this development conveys the resilience and courage of the Yemeni people in their support for the Palestinian cause and emphasizes a unified stance against occupation and oppression.

Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar criticized the Ansar Allah movement during a meeting with his Ethiopian counterpart, labeling them as a serious regional and global threat.

Amidst these developments, subsequent to the conclusion of the first phase of a ceasefire agreement and the exchange of prisoners, Israel refrained from engaging in negotiations concerning the second phase.

The country subsequently closed borders and restricted the entry of aid to Gaza, threatening to resume military actions.