Shipping Industry Monitors Red Sea After Aid Deadline Passes

The global shipping industry is closely watching developments in the Red Sea today as Yemen’s Houthi rebels threaten to resume attacks on commercial vessels in the region.

The Houthis reaffirmed their ultimatum to Israel, stating they will renew naval strikes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden if the blockade on Gaza is not lifted by today's deadline.

Israel halted aid deliveries to Gaza on March 2 and further escalated restrictions by cutting electricity to the region on Sunday, sparking a strong reaction from Yemen’s Houthi movement.

Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), warned that conditions in Gaza are “deteriorating very, very quickly”, more than a week after Israel again blocked all supplies from entering the region.

“Whatever the intent is, it’s clearly a weaponisation of humanitarian aid into Gaza,” Lazzarini told reporters at UN offices in Geneva on Monday.

While more than 100 ships were attacked from late 2023 into 2024, Houthi assaults on merchant vessels had ceased earlier this year following a tentative peace agreement between Israel and Hamas.

However, with tensions escalating, British maritime security firm Ambrey is advising ship operators to review their risk exposure, assess potential alignment with Houthi targets, and reconsider the safety of routes through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.