Deadline Expires: Upcoming Consequences for the Zionist Entity
A state of anticipation and concern grips the Israeli entity and its security leadership as the deadline set by Sayyid Abdul-Malik Badruldeen al-Houthi for mediators to facilitate humanitarian aid into Gaza expires. The Yemeni Armed Forces have declared the resumption of their blockade on all Israeli-affiliated ships in the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, Bab al-Mandeb, and the Gulf of Aden.
In an official statement, the Yemeni Armed Forces confirmed that the prohibition of Israeli-linked vessels in these maritime zones would take effect immediately upon the announcement. Any Israeli ship attempting to breach the blockade will be targeted within the designated operational areas. The statement emphasized that this measure would remain in place until the Israeli entity lifts its blockade on Gaza and allows the entry of essential humanitarian aid, including food and medicine.
The Yemeni military clarified that this step is part of its commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause and resisting Israeli aggression. It follows the expiration of the four-day deadline set by Sayyid Abdul-Malik Badruldeen al-Houthi for mediators to pressure Israel into reopening the border crossings and allowing humanitarian relief. Given the mediators’ failure to achieve this objective, Yemen has resumed its operations.
Despite ongoing mediation efforts, negotiations between Palestinian resistance factions and the Zionist enemy have failed to yield significant progress. The Israeli entity continues to impose severe conditions, including its refusal to withdraw from Gaza while seeking an agreement that would secure the release of Israeli prisoners without making meaningful concessions to the Palestinians.
Hamas, on Tuesday evening, issued a statement condemning the entity’s continued closure of Gaza’s crossings and its cutting of electricity for the tenth consecutive day. The movement urged mediators to exert maximum pressure on Netanyahu’s government to uphold ceasefire conditions.
Meanwhile, concerns over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza are escalating. The United Nations has warned of an imminent catastrophe due to the prolonged disruption of food and medical supply deliveries, threatening the lives of tens of thousands of injured and sick individuals.
Widespread Alert Sweeps the Entity
As the tense hours unfold in occupied Yaffa (Tel Aviv), the Israeli enemy has activated its air defense systems, anticipating a possible imminent attack from Yemen. Zionist newspaper “Maariv” reported that sirens could sound at any moment as generals remain on high alert and the missile defense system stands ready.
Zionist officials recognize that the situation has returned to square one. The “Houthis” have reasserted themselves as a formidable regional force, making it clear that the Red Sea conflict is part of a broader strategic equation extending directly into the heart of the occupation.
According to Zionist newspaper “Maariv”, “In Sana’a, the Houthi announcement was not mere rhetoric but a serious ultimatum tied to a specific deadline. If the Gaza blockade remains in place, drones and missiles from Yemen will soon fill the skies over (occupied Palestine). The message is unequivocal: No humanitarian ceasefire, no military calm.”
The Zionist entity, which initially believed that the war in Gaza would remain geographically contained, now finds itself entangled in a wider conflict. The Yemeni stance has expanded the scope of the Palestinian issue, stretching the battlefront from Gaza to the Mediterranean. “Tel Aviv” is no longer the sole battlefield; Yemen has become a direct player in the confrontation.
Open the Crossings, or Open the Skies for Rockets
The Washington Post highlighted the occupation’s decision to keep Gaza’s crossings sealed, describing it as a potential spark for the next major conflict. Under the entity’s new policy, the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza is strictly controlled. All shipments of food and medicine must pass through a single crossing under Israeli military oversight, with private security firms managing the distribution.
However, as the Washington Post noted, “For the Houthis, this policy left no room for hesitation. The ultimatum was clear: Open the crossings or open the skies to missiles.”
Amid these tensions, Zionist media reported disruptions to the GPS navigation system across the occupation, fearing an imminent Yemeni attack.
The impact of Yemen’s operations is evident in economic data. According to Statista, the occupied port of Umm al-Rahrash (Eilat) port has seen a drastic decline in unloaded cargo volumes since the start of Yemeni naval attacks. By the last quarter of 2023, the volume had dropped to zero metric tons, compared to over 120,000 metric tons in the same period of 2022.
Zionist news site “Ynet“, which often reflects the security establishment’s concerns, reported growing unease within military circles over a possible escalation in the Red Sea. According to “Ynet”, “The key question is not if Yemeni attacks will resume, but when and where.” Israeli security officials acknowledge that, despite efforts at de-escalation, the Houthis are shaping the new Red Sea reality—not Israel.
Awaiting the First Strike at Sea
The maritime industry is closely monitoring developments, anticipating whether Yemen will resume targeting Israeli-related ships in the Red Sea.
According to Splash247, a leading maritime news platform, the “Houthis” had temporarily halted their attacks in recent weeks as part of broader efforts to mediate a ceasefire between Hamas and “Israel”. However, the continued blockade on Gaza has raised questions about whether the Red Sea will remain calm or witness renewed Yemeni strikes on Israel-linked ships.
The British security firm Ambrey has advised commercial vessels to verify whether they are on Yemen’s target list and reassess the risks of transiting through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Europe Seeks a Balanced Approach
As Yemen resumes its naval operations, European media outlets report that the European Union is seeking a more balanced approach—combining defensive measures with diplomacy to safeguard shipping lanes.
Italy, which leads the EU’s Aspides mission, is attempting to integrate naval security with diplomatic efforts to prevent escalation. Unlike the U.S. and U.K., which have launched airstrikes against Yemen, European countries are reluctant to be drawn into a broader conflict.
Shipping disruptions in the Red Sea have already delayed cargo deliveries by 25%, forcing companies to reroute ships around the Cape of Good Hope. This has significantly increased transport costs and raised economic concerns across Europe.
Declining Confidence in the U.S. Navy
The Red Sea conflict, which began in October 2023 and has continued into 2025, has exposed weaknesses in global maritime security and eroded trust in the U.S. Navy’s ability to safeguard trade routes.
On December 15, 2024, the U.S. Navy—leading the “Prosperity Guardian” coalition—was tasked with securing the Red Sea. However, the results have been disappointing. Many global shipping executives have voiced frustration over the lack of effective deterrence.
Vincent Clerc, CEO of Maersk, told Bloomberg in January 2024, “We expected the U.S. Navy to provide sufficient protection for Red Sea operations, but the reality forced us to reroute completely.”
A similar sentiment was expressed by Corey Ranslem, CEO of British security firm Dryad Global, who told Reuters in December 2023, “The lack of clarity regarding the U.S. naval coalition’s rules of engagement has left shipping companies uncertain, eroding confidence in America’s ability to offer real security.”
As Yemeni attacks persisted, causing significant disruptions—including the sinking of the Rubymar in February 2024—industry leaders have grown increasingly concerned. Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd, told The Wall Street Journal in March 2024, “We had hoped that the U.S. Navy would quickly regain control, but continued attacks have shown clear limitations.”
An unnamed senior U.S. defense official admitted to The War Zone on March 7, 2025, that Washington remains uncertain about the full extent of Houthi capabilities. Despite numerous U.S.-led airstrikes in Yemen, he acknowledged that they had failed to neutralize the Houthis’ ability to develop and deploy advanced weaponry.
