The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas seemingly came to an end after Israel launched strikes on targets in the Gaza Strip. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to take “strong action against Hamas” in the Gaza Strip.
The ceasefire agreed earlier this year had paused fighting after months of war.
However, Israel said on Tuesday that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is attacking targets of the Hamas throughout the Gaza Strip. The operational plan was presented by the IDF over the weekend and approved by the political leadership.
The government said the attacks were “due to Hamas” refusal to release the hostages and the rejection of all the proposals it has received from US Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and from the mediators.
“Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength,” Isreal warned.
Security specialist in maritime Ambrey said yesterday that Israel-affiliated shipping is at risk of targeting in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, including companies that trade with Israel.
“The end of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire will likely reintroduce the threat of stray rocket fire against the Israeli ports of Ashkelon and Ashdod,” Ambrey warned in its threat circular.
After the Houthi group had already reinstated a ‘ban’ on Israeli-owned or flagged merchant shipping, it is likely to resume operations against Israel-affiliated shipping and companies conducting trade with Israel.
With the threat to escalate, the Houthis are likely to commence targeting US-owned merchant vessels, Ambrey noted, in response to continued US airstrikes, adding that there is a heightened risk to UK-owned shipping as well.
In the medium term, there is forecast to be increased US pressure on Iran as the US has already threatened to target Iranian assets aiding the Houthis.
Yemen’s Houthis said on Tuesday they would expand their range of targets in the occupied Palestine in the next hours and days unless the “aggression” on Gaza stops.
Few days ago, Yemen’s Houthis said they will resume attacks on Israeli ships in both the Red and Arabian Sea after their deadline for Israel to allow the resumption of aid deliveries into Gaza passed.
Earlier, the Yemeni group had given a deadline to push for the resumption of aid delivery into the Gaza Strip; otherwise, it will resume its naval operations against all Israel ships.
On Saturday March 15th, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) initiated precision strikes against Houthi targets across Yemen. The operations aimed to defend American interests, deter hostile actions, and restore freedom of navigation.
Following the US airstrikes on Yemen, US President Donald Trump threatened Iran to not further support the Houthi and promised to hold them “fully accountable,” whilst on Monday the US president reiterated: “Every shot fired by the Houthis will be looked upon, from this point forward, as being a shot fired from the weapons and leadership of IRAN, and IRAN will be held responsible, and suffer the consequences, and those consequences will be dire!”
Trump noted in a post on the Truth Social platform on March 17 that Iran has played “the innocent victim” of rogue terrorists from which they’ve lost control, but they haven’t lost control.
“They’re dictating every move, giving them the weapons, supplying them with money and highly sophisticated Military equipment, and even, so-called, “Intelligence,” Trump wrote.
The Iran-backed Houthis reported explosions on Saturday evening, with images shared online showing black smoke rising from the sky.
The White House in a statement on Monday said that “this weekend the Trump administration deported ruthless terrorist gang members, illegal immigrants who invaded our country and brought unspeakable devastation to our communities, as part of President Donald J. Trump’s utilization of every possible tool to protect the safety and security of the American people and reverse the damage done by years of feckless Democrat leadership.”
