Hamas praises Yemen for recommencing retaliatory actions targeting Israeli vessels
The Hamas resistance movement has commended Yemen for reinstating its maritime operations targeting Israeli vessels, lauding the action as evidence of the nation's "genuine commitment" to persist in backing Palestine.
On Wednesday, Hamas declared that in response to the expiration of a deadline set for the reopening of aid crossings into Gaza by the occupying regime, the Yemeni Armed Forces would reimpose restrictions on Israeli vessels, preventing their passage through Yemeni waters. This decision follows the Yemeni military’s prior announcement on Tuesday to enforce the blockade, escalating tensions in the region.
The Palestinian resistance group issued a statement asserting that the measure aligns with the true position of the Yemeni population and their leadership. It also highlights Yemen’s sincere dedication to backing the Palestinian cause and resistance efforts, while actively working to exert meaningful pressure to lift the unjust blockade on Gaza.
The statement urged regional countries and advocates of freedom worldwide to exert pressure on the Zionist occupation and its allies, with the aim of ending the aggression, lifting the siege on Gaza, and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid to the besieged population.
In November 2023, the Yemeni Armed Forces initiated operations targeting maritime vessels traveling to or from ports located in occupied territories or associated with Israel. These actions are taking place in strategic waterways, including the southern Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Gulf of Aden, and the Arabian Sea.
The campaign was launched a month after Israel conducted a military offensive on the Gaza Strip. This followed a significant operation by Hamas as a response to what it described as escalating actions against the Palestinian people.
In January, Yemen suspended its military operations in a show of solidarity with the Palestinian cause, following Israel’s acceptance of Hamas’s longstanding negotiation terms for a phased ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Israel has declined to advance to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement and has obstructed the delivery of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, actions that critics claim are in violation of international law.
On March 7, Yemen issued an ultimatum to Israel, allowing a four-day period to lift the blockade and permit humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza. With the deadline expiring on March 11, Yemeni forces declared the continuation of their naval operations targeting Israeli vessels.
