A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas may not spell the end of Houthi attacks on shipping in the Middle East, regional security experts said. The Yemen-based militant group, which has menaced the waters of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November 2023, may only temporarily halt attacks on vessels.

SANAA : Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed an attack on an American aircraft carrier on Sunday and warned of “consequences” for any retaliation during the coming Gaza ceasefire.

The leader of Yemen's Houthis said on Thursday that the Iran-aligned group would monitor the implementation of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas aimed at ending the war in Gaza and continue its attacks on vessels or Israel if it is breached.

Israel and Hamas announced a ceasefire on Wednesday, leading to speculation that the Yemen-based Houthis — who began attacking commercial ships in late 2023 ostensibly in retaliation for Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip — might call off the broadsides for good.

The Israeli military on Saturday said it intercepted a rocket from Yemen, one day before a ceasefire with the Palestinian militant group Hamas is set to take effect. Residents rushed to shelters as alerts sounded in Tel Aviv and other parts of Israel.

The Iranian-backed Houthis carried out two attacks on Israel on January 18, the eve of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. This is an important symbol of how the Houthis intend to show that they have not been deterred by Israel’s strikes and they are prepared to continue to attack Israel if the ceasefire falls apart.