Houthi Rebels Hijack Israel-Linked Ship in Red Sea, Raising Concerns

Dramatic video footage shows Iran-backed Houthi rebels hijacking a cargo ship in the Red Sea, which they believed to be Israeli-linked, but Israeli officials deny any connection. The rebels rappelled onto the deck from a helicopter and held the 25 crewmembers at gunpoint. This marks the first official entry into a foreign war by the Houthis, who were designated as a terrorist group by the US until February 2021. The ship, Galaxy Leader, was en route from Turkey to India when it was seized. Israeli officials condemned the hijacking as an "Iranian act of terror," while the ship's owners are linked to an Israeli billionaire. The crewmembers are from various countries, and efforts are being made to secure their release through negotiations. The Red Sea trade routes have become increasingly tense amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.