Yemeni Rebels Hijack Israeli-Linked Cargo Ship, Taking Crew Hostage

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels have seized an Israeli-linked cargo ship in the Red Sea, taking over two dozen crew members hostage. The group warned that it would continue to target ships linked to or owned by Israelis until the end of Israels campaign against Gazas Hamas rulers.

Yemens Houthi rebels have seized an Israeli-linked cargo ship in the Red Sea, raising concerns that regional tensions heightened over the Israel-Hamas war were playing out on a new maritime front.

The Incident

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels said they hijacked the ship, the Bahama-flagged Galaxy Leader, over its connection to Israel and took the 25 crew members hostage. The group warned that it would continue to target ships in international waters that were linked to or owned by Israelis until the end of Israel's campaign against Gaza's Hamas rulers.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office condemned the seizure as an "Iranian act of terror." The Israeli military called the hijacking a "very grave incident of global consequence."

The Ship

Israeli officials insisted the ship was British-owned and Japanese-operated. However, ownership details in public shipping databases associated the ship's owners with Ray Car Carriers, which was founded by Abraham "Rami" Ungar, who is known as one of the richest men in Israel.

Ungar told The Associated Press he was aware of the incident but couldn't comment as he awaited details. A ship linked to him experienced an explosion in 2021 in the Gulf of Oman. Israeli media blamed it on Iran at the time.

U.S. Involvement

Two U.S. defense officials confirmed that Houthi rebels seized the Galaxy Leader in the Red Sea on Sunday afternoon local time. The rebels descended on the cargo ship by repelling down from a helicopter, the officials said, confirming details first reported by NBC News.

In the past month, U.S. warships have intercepted missiles or drones from Yemen that were believed to be headed toward Israel or posing a threat to the American vessels.

Regional Tensions

The Red Sea remains a key trade route for global shipping and energy supplies. The U.S. Navy has stationed multiple ships in the sea since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7.

As Israel expands its military operations against Hamas in the besieged Gaza Strip, fears have grown that the conflict could escalate into a wider regional conflict. The Houthis have repeatedly threatened to target Israeli ships in the waters off Yemen.

The seizure of the Israeli-linked cargo ship by Yemeni rebels has heightened tensions in the region. The incident raises concerns about the potential for wider conflict and the safety of maritime trade in the Red Sea.