Yemeni Houthis: US ceasefire deal doen not include Israel

Yemeni Houthis clarified that their ceasefire deal with the U.S. does not include Israel, signaling ongoing regional tensions.

Houthi rebels in Yemen have made it clear that the ceasefire deal between their group and the United States does not apply to Israel. This declaration suggests that Houthi attacks on international shipping, which have disrupted global trade in recent months, will likely continue to some extent.

On May 7, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States would cease bombing Houthi positions in Yemen. This decision was reportedly made after the Houthis agreed to halt attacks on American vessels. Trump’s announcement follows ongoing negotiations between the two sides, facilitated by Oman, which confirmed its role as a mediator.

However, Houthi senior negotiator Mohammad Abdul Salam emphasized on May 7 that the ceasefire agreement does not include Israel in any form. In an interview with Reuters, he stated, “This agreement does not involve Israel, either in content or form.” He further added, “As long as the Americans adhere to halting their attacks, we will cease our strikes as well, since we have been in a defensive position.”

Despite a reduction in tensions between the United States and the Houthis, who have withstood heavy bombing from the Saudi-led coalition, this ceasefire does not necessarily prevent future Houthi attacks on Israeli targets. The Houthis have historically targeted Israeli-linked interests, especially since the recent escalation in the region.

Since the beginning of the Israeli military operation against Hamas in Gaza, which followed the deadly October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas, Houthi forces have launched missiles toward Israel and vessels passing through the Red Sea. The U.S. military has stated that it has targeted over 1,000 Houthi positions since March 2024, resulting in significant casualties among Houthi fighters and commanders.

Although the ceasefire marks a de-escalation in the conflict between the U.S. and the Houthis, the continued exclusion of Israel from the agreement suggests that regional tensions remain high. The Houthis’ stance on not including Israel in the ceasefire could prolong instability in the Middle East, particularly in the context of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The escalation of hostilities between the Houthis, the U.S., and Israel demonstrates the complex dynamics at play in the region. As long as the conflict in Gaza persists and broader Middle Eastern rivalries continue, the prospects for lasting peace remain uncertain, and future military confrontations could continue to shape the geopolitical landscape.

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