Houthis Claim to Have Hijacked Israeli-Owned Ship in Red Sea

Yemen’s Houthi rebels say they have taken control of an Israeli-owned ship in the southern Red Sea, leading to Israel labeling it as an act of terrorism by Iran, thereby posing a threat to international maritime security. The Houthi military confirmed the hijacking, with the cargo ship reportedly partially owned by an Israeli businessman and en route from Turkey to India. The rebels warned international sailors against working for such companies and stated that any ship belonging to Israel or its supporters will be a legitimate target for Yemen’s Houthi forces.

From the Houthi’s perspective, this action is a continuation of their military operations against Israel until the “ugly crimes” against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank cease. Israel, on the other hand, has denied its involvement in the ship’s ownership, operation, or the composition of its international crew. The Israeli government has referred to the hijacking as an escalation in Iran’s belligerence, considering it an act of terrorism that has global ramifications regarding the security of global shipping routes. The ship’s crew hails from various countries but does not include any Israelis.

The US is aware of the situation and is closely monitoring it. While the Israeli prime minister’s office has accused Iran of being behind the hijack, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim. As tensions soar in the region due to the war in Gaza, there are concerns about a potential wider regional conflict. The Iranians believe that given Israel’s continuous bombardment of Gaza, the conflict could spread.

Author’s opinion: It is important to question the truthfulness of this news and explore who benefits from it. Is Iran truly behind the hijacking, or is this narrative being used to fuel tensions in the region? Who stands to gain from escalating conflicts between Iran and Israel?

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/19/yemens-houthi-rebels-seize-cargo-ship-in-red-sea-israel-blames-iran