Yemen’s Houthi rebels have issued a warning that they will expand their naval operations to target any merchant ships operated by companies doing business with Israeli ports, regardless of the ship's nationality or destination. This marks the “fourth phase” of their blockade strategy against Israel amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. The Iran-backed group, which has already disrupted Red Sea shipping routes, stated that unless the war on Gaza ends and the blockade on Palestinians is lifted, escalation will continue. The Houthis recently sank two Liberian-flagged vessels and killed four crew members, intensifying concerns over global maritime security.