In the aftermath of Yemen's retaliatory attacks on Israeli-owned and -bound vessels in support of Palestinians in Gaza, Israel's attempt to secure Egypt's participation in a US-led maritime coalition has been met with rejection, according to reports. Israeli media, including the i24NEWS website, disclosed that Egypt declined the invitation during discussions with an Israeli foreign ministry delegation in Cairo. The proposed coalition, formed under the banner of Operation Prosperity Guardian, involves the United States, France, and the United Kingdom patrolling the southern Red Sea and the western Gulf of Aden with five warships.

While Bahrain stands as the sole Arab country that has agreed to participate in the coalition, overall interest from regional Arab states has been lacking. The Pentagon launched the maritime coalition in mid-December to protect shipping in the strategic Red Sea. Yemen's Defense Minister, Major General Mohammad al-Atifi, cautioned foreign forces against supporting the "Zionist entity" in the maritime theater, emphasizing the Yemeni Armed Forces' vigilant monitoring of American, British, and French military movements in the region.

Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, the top commander of US naval forces in the Middle East, acknowledged the multinational task force's failure in an interview with the Associated Press. Despite efforts to protect vessels in the Red Sea, he noted that Yemen's Armed Forces and the Houthi Ansarullah resistance movement continue their attacks on commercial ships. The Yemeni armed forces and the popular resistance movement have clarified that vessels not connected to Israel can safely navigate the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea.