News - Yemen: The announcement by the Yemeni Armed Forces of a fourth phase in the naval blockade against the Zionist enemy represents a strategic and pressuring choice that will tighten the noose around the criminal entity. This decision, which includes targeting all ships belonging to companies dealing with the enemy entity, will exacerbate the economic suffering of the Zionists and push the Zionist entity into an unprecedented maritime isolation, similar to its international aerial isolation.

In this context, military and strategic expert Brigadier General Omar Ma’aribouni stated: "This announcement consists of a series of measures, meaning that ships of all nationalities are now potential targets—including American-flagged vessels. This undermines the prestige of the U.S., which sought to exit Yemen through an agreement."

He added that "this step is a major challenge to the Americans," noting that "the announcement means potential targeting operations in the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, or even the Indian Ocean."

He affirmed that "Yemen has the will to carry out its threats—and we have grown accustomed to seeing them fulfilled. These are not empty threats."

He pointed out that these escalatory steps fall outside the calculations of both the American and Zionist enemies, emphasizing that "this shocking surprise for the U.S. and Israel will escalate in the coming period."

He explained that "Yemen’s support has become unprecedented and highly significant, with immediate repercussions expected following this announcement."

He indicated that "the port of Haifa will face a sudden tightening of the blockade, and we may witness missile or drone strikes extending to the port of Ashdod, placing the Israeli enemy before major obstacles."

He stated: "This decision carries moral, humanitarian, religious, and military implications—though the military dimensions are particularly substantial, not minor."

He added that "Yemen has presented a compelling case to the entire [Arab and Muslim] nation, which, unfortunately, appears to be suffering from a genuine paralysis of conscience," stressing that Yemen is shaping highly significant strategic dimensions.

He noted that "this escalation by Yemen comes at a time when the Zionist enemy, with American assistance and the collaboration of some Arab puppet regimes, is staging a theatrical performance—claiming to allow aid into Gaza while suspending military operations."

He emphasized that the repercussions of this decision will positively impact the oppressed and besieged Palestinian people in Gaza, adding: "This announcement is a clear expression of Yemen’s strength and will boost the morale of the starving Palestinians."

He also pointed out that Yemen’s decision will recalibrate the dynamics of negotiations between Palestinian resistance factions and the criminal Zionist enemy entity.

In a statement, Armed Forces spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Sare'e declared: "The Yemeni Armed Forces have decided to escalate their military support operations and implement the fourth phase of the naval blockade on the enemy. This phase includes targeting all ships belonging to any company that deals with Israeli ports—regardless of the company's nationality and wherever our forces can reach them."

These actions are framed as part of a broader Yemeni strategy to enforce an aerial and naval blockade on the Israeli enemy in response to its war crimes and humanitarian blockade of Gaza. By continually threatening key points in occupied Palestine, the Yemeni forces aim to create both material and psychological pressure to halt the assault on Gaza and open humanitarian corridors.

The Government Media Office of Gaza has issued a warning regarding an unparalleled humanitarian disaster, indicating that over 100,000 children, among them 40,000 infants, are at risk of life-threatening hunger as a result of the blockade.

The overall death count resulting from starvation and malnutrition has currently reached 122, including 83 children, and it is projected to escalate rapidly as the siege and the closure of crossings persist.

In the meantime, United Nations agencies and humanitarian organizations have issued critical alerts indicating that therapeutic food for children suffering from severe malnutrition is on the verge of depletion, putting the lives of thousands of the most vulnerable individuals in jeopardy.

At least 59,733 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and another 144,477 individuals injured in the brutal Israeli onslaught on Gaza since October 7, 2023.