They have been menacing the shipping channels for a long time. Until recently the USA presence was able to maintain some control. But, the Houthis with Iran’s help, are now using drones and missiles. This is an entirely new menacing profile for the Houthis and it is without a doubt far more dangerous.
This is not an escalation in the Israel-Hamas War. Israel has no arguments directly with the Houthis as it does Hamas. I believe the Houthis hate. They are using the war with Hamas as an excuse to carry out hate directed death.
This is not new, it has just become far more dangerous and simple measures don’t work anymore.
The USA along with the United Kingdom are doing the right thing. Every American and Brit should be proud of their country and it’s capacity to enforce peace when violence escalates.