On Sunday, Houthi rebels hijacked the Galaxy Leader, a cargo ship en route from Turkey to India in the southern Red Sea, according to AP. The rebels, who control northern Yemen and its Red Sea coast, claimed the vessel was Israeli, stating that all ships associated with Israel are legitimate targets.
Mohammed Abdul-Salam, the chief negotiator for the Houthis, emphasized their commitment to sea battles.
However, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office denied the claim, criticizing the hijacking and clarifying that the vessel belonged to a British company and was operated by a Japanese firm.
The crew, consisting of 25 members, did not include any Israelis, with members from Ukraine, Bulgaria, the Philippines, and Mexico.
Netanyahu’s office attributed the hijacking to Tehran, accusing it of endangering global shipping lanes. The incident is considered a significant escalation in the threat posed by the Houthis to global maritime shipping amid the ongoing conflict with Israel.
Reports suggest that the ship is owned by Ray Car Carriers, founded by Abraham “Rami” Ungar, a prominent figure in Israel. The Houthis, who have previously threatened to strike Israel, called on other countries via social media to withdraw their citizens working on Israeli vessels.
The rebels are believed to receive support from Iran, including training and advanced weaponry.
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