Yemen’s Houthi group say ceasefire with U.S. excludes Israel

Yemen’s Houthi group said on May 7th that its ceasefire agreement with the United States does not extend to Israel, indicating that attacks on Israel-linked shipping may continue, Middle East Eye reported. 

“The agreement does not include Israel in any way, shape or form,” chief Houthi negotiator Mohammed Abdulsalam told Reuters. 

The statement follows President Donald Trump’s announcement on May 6th that U.S. strikes on Houthi targets would cease, following the group’s pledge to stop disrupting key shipping lanes in the Middle East.

Mediated by Oman, the ceasefire comes amid a decline in Red Sea attacks since January. However, the Houthis’ stance raises concerns over the safety of Israeli-linked maritime traffic.

Middle East Eye/ Asharq Al Awsat