Media: Houthis halt attacks on Israel, Red sea following Gaza ceasefire agreement

The leader of Yemen’s Houthi movement, Abdel-Malik al-Houthi, has ordered a suspension of all attacks on Israeli territory and commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, according to a source within the group speaking to Russian news agency TASS.

The decision follows the implementation of a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, marking what the source described as the end of the "active phase" of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The Houthi leadership stated that further operations against Israel or Israeli-linked shipping would depend on Israel's adherence to the terms of the ceasefire. 

The source indicated that the Houthis would monitor Israel's compliance with the agreement, particularly regarding the release of Palestinian prisoners and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The group is prepared to resume attacks if Israel is deemed to have violated the terms.

The ceasefire comes after indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas resumed on October 6, facilitated by Egypt, Qatar, the United States, and Türkiye. On October 9, the two sides reached an agreement to implement the first phase of a broader peace plan, proposed by US President Donald Trump. The ceasefire officially came into effect on October 10.

The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen and are aligned with Iran, have previously launched missile and drone attacks against Israeli targets and disrupted international shipping routes in what they have called acts of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

By Sabina Mammadli