Hamas said it would hold Britain and the United States “accountable for the impact on regional security.”
However, Fabian Hinz, a research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, dismissed the risk of escalating tensions, “because big players like Iran are keen to avoid a regional war.”
Oil prices rose four percent on Friday on fears of a rise before a fall.
Denmark’s Torm on Friday became the latest tanker company to halt transit through the Red Sea.
Maritime security risk group Dryad Global advised its clients to suspend operations in the Red Sea for 72 hours, citing the threat of Houthi retaliation.
Hundreds of thousands of people gathered to protest in the Yemeni capital Sanaa on Friday, some carrying Kalashnikov assault rifles, many waving Yemeni and Palestinian flags, an AFP journalist reported.
They chanted, “Down with America, down with Israel.”
In Tehran, hundreds of people rallied against the United States, Britain and Israel, burned flags of the three countries outside the UK embassy and expressed support for Gaza and Yemenis, as witnessed by an AFP reporter.
In Gaza City, some Palestinians praised the Houthi support and condemned Britain and the United States.
“No one stands with us except Yemen,” said Fuad al-Ghalaini, one of thousands of Palestinians displaced by Israel’s bombardment of the besieged territory.