> there is a much bigger humanitarian concern at the center of all this

If you’re talking about Yemen, sure. If you’re talking about Gaza, it’s naïve to think anything there will restore confidence in the Bab al-Mandab.

The Houthi leadership have repeatedly said that they will stop the attacks if the Israeli assault & ethnic cleansing of Palestine ends.

The real naivete is presuming that the "lalala can't hear you, I will do whatever I want" playbook of US/Israeli foreign policy is sustainable in any way.

Lots of people say lots of things. When it comes to geopolitics, actions and capability are what matter. Until someone is willing to underwrite shipping insurance on the Houthis’ word, their leadership’s promises are worthless.

So the Houthi are admitting that they control the pirates in the Red Sea so strongly that they can order them to stop and they will obey?

Negotiating with terrorists is stupid. Giving in to their demands only empowers them to do it again.