7 OCTOBER
Hamas attacks Israel, killing over a thousand people, including soldiers and civilians, and kidnapping around 250. The Israeli government reacts furiously and launches an offensive on Gaza, the base of the Hamas militants. The Iranian-backed Shiite Houthis in Yemen immediately declare their support for Hamas and announce their intention to attack any ship bound for Israel.
9 OCTOBER
Support for Hamas, a Sunni organisation, comes from another Shia Islamic organisation: Hezbollah. They exchange fire with the Israeli army on the Lebanese border, leading to Israeli air strikes.
12 OCTOBER
Israeli aircraft attack Syrian airports in Aleppo and Damascus, targeting Iranian arms depots defended by Hezbollah fighters.
18-19 OCTOBER
Drones target the US base at Al Asad in western Iraq, causing injuries. On the same day, a US warship intercepts three missiles fired north from a Yemeni base.
26 OCTOBER
Another US air strike in Syria targets bases of Iranian-backed militants who have attacked US troops in the country and neighbouring Iraq.
2 NOVEMBER
The first attack on Israel in modern times is launched from Iraq: The Islamic Resistance claims responsibility for an operation against an Israeli target on the shores of the Dead Sea.
19 NOVEMBER
Houthi attacks begin. A merchant ship, allegedly linked to an Israeli businessman, is attacked and seized in the Red Sea. It is the first of 26 ships targeted so far.
16 DECEMBER
The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), a world leader in container shipping, is the first to announce the suspension of its Red Sea transits. Other international carriers follow suit.
18 DECEMBER
The blockade prompts an immediate response: the United States announces the formation of a 10-nation coalition against Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, including the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Bahrain.
2 JANUARY
The deputy head of Hamas’ political bureau, Saleh Arouri, is killed by the Israelis in Beirut. Samir Effendi, known as Abu Amer and described by Israel as the “liaison between Hamas and the Houthis”, is also killed.
9 JANUARY
The first major military action between the international coalition and the Houthis takes place in the Red Sea. The British warship HMS Diamond neutralises a swarm of drones launched from the coast, in the biggest Houthi attack attempt to date.
10 JANUARY
The United Nations Security Council adopts a resolution demanding an immediate end to Houthi attacks. The resolution also supports the right of member states to defend their vessels.
11 JANUARY
The first offensive action by the international coalition takes place. The United States and the United Kingdom attack Houthi targets on the coast, resulting in at least five deaths. The attacks continue over the next few days.
12 JANUARY
New US bombing raid on Yemen: a radar station used to monitor traffic in the Red Sea has been attacked.
14 JANUARY
Raids on 60 targeted Houthi militia positions in the crosshairs. US: ‘We will not hesitate to take further action’ Sanaa also hit. EU considers sending three ships. Moscow calls for urgent UN meeting.
15 JANUARY
Houthi forces in Yemen have hit the US owned and operated dry bulk carrier Gibraltar Eagle with an anti-ship ballistic missile. US-based operator Eagle Bulk Shipping said an unidentified projectile struck the ship while it was sailing 100 miles off the Gulf of Aden, causing limited damage to the cargo hold and no injuries to the seafarers.