Houthi Rebels Seize Israeli-Linked Cargo Ship; Dozens Held Hostage
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – The Israel-Hamas war spread to the seas Sunday with Yemen’s Houthi rebels seizing an Israeli-linked cargo ship in a crucial Red Sea shipping route, taking two dozen crew members hostage.
Israeli officials said the ship was British-owned and Japanese-operated. However, ownership details in public shipping databases associated the ship’s owners with Ray Car Carriers, founded by billionaire Abraham “Rami” Ungar, one of the wealthiest men in Israel.
The Iran-backed Houthis said they hijacked the ship over its connection to Israel.
They pledged 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.
“All ships belonging to the Israeli enemy or that deal with it will become legitimate targets,” the Houthis said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the attack on the Bahamas-flagged Galaxy Leader vessel. 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.”
RANGE OF NATIONALITIES
Netanyahu’s office, the 25 crew members had a range of nationalities, including Bulgarian, Filipino, Mexican, and Ukrainian, but stressed no Israelis were on board.
The Houthis said they were treating the crew members “in accordance with their Islamic values” but did not elaborate on what that meant, reports said.
Billionaire Ungar said in published remarks he was aware of the hijacking of a ship associated with a company he founded but declined to comment further. Another ship linked to him experienced an explosion in 2021 in the Gulf of Oman. Israeli media blamed it on Iran at the time.
Sunday’s incident comes after Yemen’s Houthis already targeted Israel with missiles and drones, opening up another front for the Jewish nation.
Besides being targeted from Yemen, Israel also faces regular rocket and drone barrages fired by Hezbollah fighters from neighboring Lebanon, Gaza, and the West Bank.
Most militia groups in the region, designated as terrorist organizations by the West, are backed by Iran and Tehran has publicly expressed support for the destruction of Israel.
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