Houthis Renew “Naval Blockade” of Red Sea

The Houthis announced Monday that they are renewing what they call their “naval blockade” on Israel, declaring that Israeli movement in the Red Sea will now be treated as a military target.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the organization was imposing a “complete ban” on Israeli navigation in the Red Sea, adding that any Israeli vessel or movement connected to Israel would be considered a legitimate target by Houthi forces.

“We declare a complete ban on the enemy’s navigation in the Red Sea,” Saree said. “We view every Israeli movement as a military target for our forces.”

The statement came alongside the Houthis’ claim of responsibility for launches toward Israel, which they said targeted “sensitive sites belonging to the Israeli enemy in Jaffa.”

The renewed blockade threat comes amid the broader regional escalation following Israeli strikes in Iran and fresh threats from Iranian-backed groups. Saree said the Houthis would “respond to escalation with escalation” and that their operations would expand in coordination with the wider “axis of jihad and resistance.”

The announcement signals an attempt by the Houthis to revive their campaign against Israeli-linked maritime traffic, a front that has previously disrupted shipping routes in the Red Sea and forced international shipping companies to reroute vessels.

By framing the Red Sea as part of the wider confrontation, the Houthis are trying to turn the maritime arena into another pressure point against Israel, alongside missile fire from Yemen and threats from Iran, Hezbollah, Iraq and Gaza.