Houthi, Iranian officials hold talks in Oman on Gaza ceasefire

SANAA, Yemen

Officials from Yemen’s Houthi group and Iran held talks Monday in Oman’s capital Muscat focusing on the implementation of the ceasefire in Gaza, Yemen’s Al-Masirah TV reported.

The meeting brought together Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdul Salam and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss “recent regional developments, including the enforcement of the Gaza ceasefire,” according to the Houthi-run channel.

“We are closely monitoring regional developments, and Yemen’s future actions in support of the Palestinian people will depend on the other party’s (Israel’s) full commitment to implementing the ceasefire terms,” said Abdul Salam.

He emphasized the importance of coordination among relevant actors to support Palestinian rights and ensure stability.

Since November 2023, the Houthi group has targeted commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden owned or operated by Israeli companies or transporting goods to and from Israel in solidarity with the Gaza Strip

Araghchi praised Yemen’s “honorable solidarity with the oppressed Palestinian people in the face of (Israeli) occupation and the genocide that has continued for 16 months in Gaza.”

“This support played a significant role in the Palestinian resistance’s victory and in forcing Israel to accept a ceasefire,” he added.

Despite the ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces continue to target Palestinians in Gaza with airstrikes and drone attacks, resulting in casualties.

A ceasefire deal has been in place in Gaza since Jan. 19, pausing Israel’s genocidal war, which has killed nearly 48,300 Palestinians and left the enclave in ruins.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November last year for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.