Since mid-March, President Trump has initiated a military campaign against the Houthis, describing it as “a merciless campaign of copyright infringement, violence, and terrorism.” The operation has led to significant financial burdens for American taxpayers, with costs reaching around $1 billion. The Pentagon alone has spent over $775 million on bombs and missiles targeting extremist groups. Notably, the US Navy has lost two fighter jets in the Red Sea, each valued at more than $65 million.
Given these substantial expenses and the limited outcomes from this mission, recent announcements regarding a ceasefire with the Houthis come as a pleasant surprise. Still, it’s crucial for the President to leverage this ceasefire opportunity for further diplomatic efforts.
Even though there’s an agreement between the Houthis and the US not to engage each other, the truce does not extend to Israel, which has continued its aggressive actions. If the President aims to fully curb the Houthis’ ambitions in the region and avoid re-entering conflict, pushing for a new ceasefire in Gaza would be wise.
The recent Houthi assaults in the Red Sea and Israel aren’t random but are closely tied to the events occurring in Gaza. In January, Trump negotiated a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which notably halted attacks on merchant vessels once agreed upon.
Among other terms, the January ceasefire sought to increase aid to Gaza and began negotiations for further agreements 16 days post-signing. However, Israeli leadership disrupted this process, indicating a refusal to enter discussions on certain terms for the next phase.
Moreover, Israel’s decision to impose a lockdown on all aid when entering Gaza earlier in March stirred new concerns about the Houthis. Following this, the Houthis resumed their attacks on Israeli ships in the Red Sea. The escalation of conflict in Gaza in mid-March only intensified the chaos.
Rather than pressuring Israel and Prime Minister Netanyahu to support the ceasefire conditions that were mutually beneficial, Trump seems to have indicated that Israel is the one in control, without needing to conform to the agreement.
As early as late February, Trump expressed that he was fine with whatever decision Israel chose, be it resuming conflict or maintaining the ceasefire. He even seemed to give a “green light” for renewed attacks on Gaza, having informed Israel of his plans ahead of time.
The current ceasefire between the Houthis and the US is a step toward easing regional tensions, yet the situation is still precarious.
The Houthis have stated that they will ensure Israeli ships won’t reach port until the Gaza operations cease and the blockade is lifted. This lingering uncertainty affects global trade, as the five leading container shipping companies have no immediate plans to operate in the region. Reports suggest shippers believe areas will remain unstable as hostilities continue.
Ultimately, addressing the Houthi issue requires a new ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which would benefit both global commerce and the interests of the US and Israel.
While Trump may aim to uphold the ceasefire with the Houthis, the ongoing hostilities between Israel and extremist factions could lead to further costly US military involvement. Instead of continuing to bear the financial weight of Israel’s protracted war, the President should honor his promise to be a “Peace Maker” by advocating for a renewed and lasting ceasefire in Gaza.
