Houthis Ban Israeli Shipping and Launch Missiles at Israel

The Houthi movement launched a series of coordinated attacks against Israel on June 8 and 9, 2026, and declared a total ban on Israeli maritime navigation in the Red Sea. The escalation began with missile barrages targeting the Yaffa region and Tel Aviv, which forced the suspension of all flights at Ben Gurion International Airport. On Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces intercepted a suspicious drone launched from Yemen that targeted the resort city of Eilat, triggering air raid sirens. These actions broke a ceasefire that had been in place since April 8.

In tandem with the strikes, the group designated all Israeli-linked vessels in the Red Sea as legitimate military targets. This maritime blockade threatens the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a critical chokepoint for 13% of global trade. The movement's leader, Abdulmalik al-Houthi, stated the group is in full coordination with regional allies to escalate operations.

Concurrent with these attacks, Esmail Qaani, commander of the IRGC Quds Force, announced the establishment of a new security belt extending from the Strait of Hormuz to Bab el-Mandeb. This strategic corridor is intended to counter Israeli and American provocations. The escalation occurs as the United States government considers a diplomatic settlement with Iran, while Saudi Arabia and Qatar lead efforts to prevent further economic disruption.