In a concerning development, the Israeli government has announced that Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have hijacked a cargo ship in the Red Sea, posing a threat to a major global shipping route. The vessel, owned by a British company and operated by a Japanese firm, was seized by the rebels. While there were no Israelis on board, the incident marks a significant escalation in the threat posed by the Houthis against maritime shipping since the start of the conflict with Hamas. The rebels had previously threatened to target ships carrying the Israeli flag or operated by Israeli companies.

Yemen is so far away, how can they attack Israel?

Houthi rebels in Yemen have seized a cargo ship.

There is some confusion — some claim it is a British ship operated by Japan. But it shows Israel’s vulnerability.#Gaza pic.twitter.com/12zXSmWt3E

— S.L. Kanthan (@Kanthan2030) November 19, 2023

The Houthis, based in Yemen, have the ability to stage attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and have been receiving support from Iran, including training and advanced weapons. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has blamed Iran for the attack, accusing Tehran of endangering global shipping lanes. Iran has not commented on the incident.

The ship's crew members come from various countries, including Ukraine, Bulgaria, the Philippines, and Mexico, and the vessel was en route from Turkey to India when it was targeted. This hijacking highlights the serious nature of the situation and the global consequences of such actions. Israel strongly condemns this act of Iranian terrorism, which represents a leap forward in Iran's aggression against the free world. It raises concerns about the security of global shipping lanes and calls for international attention to address these threats.