Houthis will only reassess Red Sea attacks 'when Israeli aggression stops'

Yemen's Houthis have said they will only reconsider their attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea once Israel ends its "aggression" on the Gaza Strip.

"There will be no halt to any operations that help Palestinian people except when the Israeli aggression on Gaza and the siege stop," spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam told Reuters.

The Houthis have launched several drone on missile attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait since November in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

Top global container line Maersk have told its clients that they should prepare for Red Sea disruptions continuing into the second half of the year.

On 19 November, the Houthis seized vessel Galaxy Leader along with its 25 crew members. The ship has been held near the port city of Hodeidah since then.

Galaxy Maritime Ltd, the owner of Galaxy Leader, said that crew members from Bulgaria, Ukraine, Mexico, Romania and the Philippines had "nothing whatsoever to do with the conflict in the Middle East".

"From the few permitted phone calls they are allowed, crew members are becoming increasingly concerned about their loved ones at home," Galaxy Maritime said.

"Families of those being detained are now calling on the international community to take action to secure the immediate release of the crew."