The Houthis have officially announced that they have paused maritime attacks on Israel and lifted their so-called naval blockade on Israeli ports. This announcement appeared at the end of a letter (pictured below) sent to Hamas’s military wing, Kata’ib al-Qassam, by the newly appointed Houthi chief of staff, Yousef Hassan Al-Madani, who succeeded Mohammed Al-Ghamari after he died in Israeli airstrikes.

The Houthi strikes, which killed at least nine seafarers and sank four ships, forced global trade to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope for the past couple of years, propping up ton-miles and freight rates.

While confirming a pause for now, Al-Madani added that if the conflict in Gaza continues, the Houthis would consider resuming their own operations, including renewed pressure on maritime routes.

Since the truce began between Hamas and Israel on October 10, no new attacks have been claimed by the Houthis. 

Egypt, meanwhile, has said it is developing plans for the resumption of trade through the Suez Canal.

French containerline CMA CGM has been testing a return to the Suez route with a westbound voyage on its MEX service this week, following two eastbound runs on its FAL1 string.