Hamas welcomes Houthi announcement that it would block ships to Israel

By Mahmut Geldi

ISTANBUL (AA) - Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, welcomed an announcement Sunday by the Yemeni Iran-backed Houthi group who said it would block ships headed to Israel through the Red Sea.

A statement by Hamas drew attention to the announcement that said: "If necessary supplies, including food and medicine, do not enter Gaza, the passage of ships to the Zionist entity (Israel) through the Red Sea will be blocked regardless of their nationality."

It deemed it a "bold decision" against attacks on the Gaza Strip for more than two months and urged Arab and Islamic countries to fulfill their historic responsibility to break the blockade on Gaza.

It also urged Arab and Islamic countries to stop the massacres carried out by Israel in Gaza.

Houthi spokesman, Yahya Saree, previously said on social media that if vital supplies like medicine do not reach Gaza, the group would block ships to Israel in the Red Sea as it considers them a legitimate target.

Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi had threatened to target Israeli ships in the Red Sea during a televised speech Nov. 14.

The Houthis have announced multiple missile and drone attacks against Israel since Oct. 31.