The Houthi rebels’ leader vowed to continue operations if Israel does not comply with the ceasefire agreement.
Abdul Malik al-Houthi stated in a televised speech on 16 January that if Israel fails to adhere to the agreement for a ceasefire, the attacks will continue.
We will continue to monitor developments in Palestine during the three days prior to the entry into force of the Gaza agreement. If the Israeli massacres continue, we will continue our operations.
…said Abdul Malik al-Houthi.
The announcement came after earlier expectations among some maritime security sources that the group would halt attacks on ships. Other shipping industry sources stated that they would wait to see if the Houthis honored the ceasefire and were not yet ready to resume voyages through the Red Sea.
“The agreement has only just been reached. We will closely analyze the latest developments and their impact on the security situation in the Red Sea” a Hapag-Lloyd spokesperson told Reuters.
Furthermore, a Maersk spokesperson stated that “It is still too early to speculate about timing” in regards to if the company would return to the Red Sea after the ceasefire announcement.
The attacks have disrupted international commerce, forcing some ships to take the long route around Cape of Good Hope rather than the Suez Canal, leading to increases in insurance rates, delivery costs and time that stoked global inflation fears.
In November 2024, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, in a meeting with IMO Secretary General, Arsenio Dominguez, pointed out that Suez Canal revenue has suffered losses estimated at around $6 billion due to the attacks, significantly harming the Egyptian economy.
