Israeli-owned ship attacked by suspected Iranian drone – AP – Analysis

A container ship owned by an Israeli billionaire was targeted in a suspected Iranian drone attack in the Indian Ocean, according to reports from the Associated Press (AP). The Maltese-flagged vessel, CMA CGM Symi, was attacked in international waters and sustained damage, but no crew members were injured. The attack occurred shortly before a ceasefire in Gaza to facilitate a prisoner-hostage exchange and the supply of humanitarian aid. The ship had turned off its AIS tracker, which is a common precaution taken by crews when they believe their vessel may be a target. Risk management company Ambrey suggested that the attack may have been targeted due to the vessel’s Israeli affiliation.

The Symi is owned by Eastern Pacific Shipping, a company based in Singapore and owned by Idan Ofer, an Israeli billionaire. In the past, ships owned by the Ofer family had been allegedly used for Israeli special forces operations in the region, including assassinations, according to reports. Yemen’s Houthi rebels recently declared that Israeli ships are a legitimate target, potentially expanding the conflict between Israel and Hamas. There have been concerns that the war could escalate into a larger regional dispute in the Middle East.

In a separate incident, the Houthis claimed to have seized a British-owned cargo ship in the Red Sea, which Israel referred to as an “Iranian act of terrorism.” However, the Houthis described the vessel as Israeli in origin, despite Israeli denial of any connection. Public records show the British owner of the vessel to be Ray Car Carriers, founded by shipping magnate Abraham ‘Rami’ Ungar, who is known for his support of right-wing causes.

Overall, the article presents information from anonymous sources and reports from different news outlets. The credibility of these sources is not explicitly mentioned or assessed, making it difficult to assess the reliability of the information presented. Additionally, the article mainly relies on statements from unnamed officials and quotes from various individuals without providing a broader context or analysis. This lack of detailed analysis of the political landscape and potential biases of the sources could limit readers’ understanding of the situation and potentially contribute to the spread of misinformation or a skewed perception of events.

Source: RT news: Israeli-owned ship attacked by suspected Iranian drone – AP