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In a significant maritime incident, Yemen’s Houthi rebels captured a cargo ship linked to Israel in the Red Sea, escalating regional tensions. The ship, seized on a key shipping route, carried 25 crew members from various countries, including the Philippines, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, and Mexico. The Houthis, backed by Iran, claimed the hijacking was a response to Israel’s actions against Hamas in Gaza and threatened further attacks on Israeli-affiliated vessels.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the seizure, labeling it an Iranian act of terror, while the Israeli military emphasized its global implications. The ship, the Bahamas-flagged Galaxy Leader, reportedly affiliated with Israeli billionaire Abraham “Rami” Ungar, was British-owned and Japanese-operated. It had no cargo during the hijacking, according to its operator, NYK Line.
Japan, involved due to the Japanese operation of the ship, strongly condemned the hijacking. Japanese officials engaged in negotiations with the Houthis for the crew’s release, collaborating with Israel, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Iran. The Houthis assured that the crew was being treated in accordance with Islamic values, though details were unspecified.
The incident’s complexity is underscored by the international nature of shipping, often involving diverse management companies and national flags. The U.S. confirmed the Houthis’ attack, carried out by rappelling from a helicopter. This act resembled previous Iranian strategies, as Iran has been known to arm the Houthis.
Recent U.S. military interventions in the region included intercepting missiles and drones from Yemen, believed to be threats to Israel or American vessels. The Galaxy Leader, en route from Turkey to India, had turned off its Automatic Identification System, a safety measure usually kept active.
The incident occurred against the backdrop of heightened Israel-Hamas tensions and ongoing conflicts in the region, raising concerns about the potential for a broader regional escalation.
