Yemen’s Houthis declared a Houthi Red Sea ban on Israeli ships on Monday and claimed a missile barrage against Israel, raising fresh concern over the key shipping route.
The Iran-backed group said all Israeli maritime movement in the Red Sea would become a military target from the time of its statement.
The Israeli military said it detected a missile launch from Yemen toward Israeli territory. It said air-defence systems were operating to intercept the threat.
The Houthis said they targeted “sensitive” Israeli sites and claimed the strikes met their objectives. The group had not announced a missile attack on Israel since the April 8 ceasefire.
The move came as Israel and Iran traded fire Monday, putting the regional ceasefire under renewed strain.
🚨 Breaking | Yemeni Armed Forces:
The Bab al-Mandab Strait has been completely closed to the Israeli enemy in the Red Sea, in solidarity with Lebanon and Iran.
🔥 It’s on fire. pic.twitter.com/885ZS5A6YA
— Global Insight Journal (@GlobalIJournal) June 8, 2026
The Guardian reported that the Houthis also fired missiles toward Israel and declared a maritime blockade against Israeli-linked shipping.
Read: Israel Airstrikes Iran After Missile Attacks
The Red Sea links Asia and Europe through the Bab el-Mandeb route. Houthi attacks during the Israel-Hamas war forced many shipping firms to reroute vessels around southern Africa.