YEMEN’S Houthi-led government warned today that “any Israeli vessel” sailing through nearby waters could be targeted as Israel continues to block aid to the Gaza Strip.

The threat raises the prospect of renewed disruption to a key sea route between Asia and Europe. The Houthis have used a loose definition of what constitutes an Israeli ship, so other vessels could be targeted as well.

The statement from Yemen’s Humanitarian Operations Co-ordination Centre follows the setting of a four-day deadline for Israel to resume aid shipments into the besieged and war-shattered Gaza Strip.