Tel Aviv: A surprise ceasefire between the United States and Yemen's Houthi group has caught Israeli officials off guard, with Tel Aviv reportedly unaware of any efforts towards reaching such an agreement, as reported by Israeli media.

According to Anadolu Agency, Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi announced the ceasefire following President Donald Trump's statement that the Houthi group would cease attacks on commercial ships. An Israeli official expressed shock, stating that Israel was not informed prior to Trump's announcement, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.

The Israeli daily noted that the ceasefire was particularly surprising because it came soon after Israel received "a protective security umbrella" for its airstrike targeting the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. The Times of Israel, citing Israeli officials, reported that the US did not provide Israel with advance notice before Trump's statement.

An Israeli source familiar with the situation told Israel Hayom newspaper that the ceasefire announcement was "very bad news for Israel," especially amidst ongoing US negotiations with Iran.

The ceasefire agreement between the US and the Houthis was announced after Israeli warplanes conducted airstrikes on Sanaa airport, power stations, and industrial facilities in the Yemeni capital and Amran province, as well as the Red Sea port of Al-Hudaydah.

The Houthi group confirmed the ceasefire with the US, clarifying that it does not affect their confrontation with Israel in support of the Palestinian people.

Yemen has been the focus of an intensified US military campaign since mid-March, which has included approximately 1,300 air and naval strikes, leading to significant civilian casualties, according to the Houthis. The group has targeted ships in the Red and Arabian seas, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden since November 2023 in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, where over 52,600 people, mostly women and children, have been killed due to Israel's military actions.

The Houthis paused their attacks following a Gaza ceasefire declared in January between Israel and Hamas but resumed them after Israel renewed airstrikes on Gaza in March.