Ceasefire in Gaza raises hopes of Houthi pause in Red Sea attacks

A cargo ship damaged in a February 19 missile strike claimed by the Houthis, floating in the Red Sea. (File/AFP)

• The Houthis, who have claimed responsibility for attacks on vessels since late 2023, have not yet commented on the ceasefire or signaled a change in policy

COPENHAGEN: The Gaza ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas under a US-brokered plan has raised hopes that Yemen’s Houthi forces may ease attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, a development that could stabilize a key regional trade route.
The Houthis, who have claimed responsibility for attacks on vessels since late 2023, have not yet commented on the ceasefire or signaled a change in policy. Their campaign has forced ships to reroute around the southern tip of Africa, disrupting global supply chains and drawing international naval responses.
Shares of Danish shipping giant Maersk fell two percent in Copenhagen on Thursday, reflecting investor expectations that safer passage through the Red Sea could eventually restore capacity and reduce freight rates. Analysts cautioned, however, that shipping companies would likely wait months for assurances that attacks would not resume.
Diplomats and analysts said the ceasefire in Gaza could have broader geopolitical implications, potentially easing tensions in the region and fostering conditions for the eventual normalization of maritime security in the Red Sea corridor.