News - Middle East: Omar Assaf, coordinator of the Palestinian Popular Conference and a political analyst, commented on the announcement by the resistance movement Hamas regarding its acceptance of a US-backed ceasefire proposal for the Gaza Strip, presented by US Middle East envoy Steve Weitkopf.

“The resistance, Hamas, is demonstrating significant flexibility in negotiations in an effort to end the brutal Zionist aggression on the Gaza Strip,” Assaf stated.

He added, “The resistance seeks strong guarantees that would ensure a permanent ceasefire and the full withdrawal of the Israeli occupying forces from Gaza.”

Assaf also outlined the various factors pressuring Israel to halt its aggression. Among them is Israel’s failure to intercept Yemeni missile and drone attacks, which have intensified over time. He also highlighted Israel's inability to achieve its stated military objectives—namely, the release of captives and the dismantling of the Palestinian resistance—over the past year and a half.

He further pointed to growing European and international calls for an end to the aggression as a significant force driving the possibility of a ceasefire agreement.

Envoy Weitkopf's ceasefire proposal reportedly outlines a phased truce that could eventually lead to a complete cessation of Zionist aggression on Palestine.

Since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023, Yemen has emerged as a pivotal regional actor in the confrontation, aligning itself firmly with the Palestinian resistance. The Yemeni Armed Forces, under the leadership of the Sana'a-based government, have launched a series of strategic military operations—including missile and drone strikes as well as naval and aerial blockades—targeting Israeli-linked infrastructure and shipping routes.

What began with the disruption of maritime traffic in the Red Sea soon evolved into more expansive campaigns, affecting key Israeli economic hubs such as the port of Eilat and Lod Airport. In May 2025, the Yemeni military escalated further by declaring a naval blockade on Haifa Port, a major economic artery for Israel, handling over a third of the country's cargo volume.

These operations form part of Yemen’s declared policy of pressuring Israel to end its war on Gaza and lift the siege. The attacks have triggered widespread disruptions in international shipping, tourism, and air travel, with dozens of global airlines suspending operations to and from Israeli airports.