The Houthis confirmed on Tuesday that they will not reconsider their missile and drone attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea until Israel ends its "aggression" in the Gaza Strip. In response to a question about whether they would stop attacks if a ceasefire agreement were reached, Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul Salam told Reuters that the situation would be reassessed if the blockade on Gaza ended and humanitarian assistance was allowed in.
Abdul Salam stated, "There will be no halt to any operations supporting the Palestinian people until the aggression against Gaza stops and the blockade is lifted. If Israel indeed stops and lifts the blockade, and aid enters, then we can discuss the matter."
Mærsk, the world's largest container shipping company, informed its clients on Tuesday in a statement that they should prepare for ongoing disruptions in the Red Sea until the second half of the year and also be ready for longer transit times in their shipping and supply chain plans.
Sailors have signed agreements to receive double their pay when entering high-risk areas and have the right to refuse to sail on vessels transiting the Red Sea. Galaxy Maritime noted in one of its updates, "Among the few calls available to them, crew members are increasingly worried about their families back home... Families of those detained are now calling on the international community to take action to ensure the immediate release of the crew."
Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization affiliated with the United Nations, called for "collective action to enhance the safety of those at sea" and to release the Galaxy Leader ship. He stated at an International Maritime Organization meeting, "Attacking international shipping is primarily an attack on seafarers."
The Houthis, who control densely populated areas of Yemen, issued an official notice to shipping officials and insurance companies regarding what they described as a ban on ships associated with Israel, the United States, and Britain from sailing in surrounding waters.
The internationally recognized Yemeni government warned in a letter distributed on February 15 to member states of the International Maritime Organization of the "danger" posed by the Houthis, stating that the group "continues to indiscriminately lay mines at sea" and uses drones and missiles.
