Houthi Rebels Hijack Israeli-Linked Cargo Ship in Red Sea

U.S. Considers Designating Houthis as Terrorist Entity in Response to Hijacking

Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, hijacked the Galaxy Leader, a cargo ship linked to Israeli billionaire Abraham Ungar, in the Red Sea. The ship was en route from Turkey to India and had a crew of 25 from various nationalities.
The rebels, armed with assault rifles and wearing bulletproof vests, descended onto the ship from a helicopter and quickly took control of the vessel. The ship is now anchored in Yemen's Hodeidah port area.
The U.S. is considering designating the Houthi rebel group as a terrorist entity in response to the hijacking. The Biden administration had previously revoked this designation in 2021 to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Yemen.
The Houthi rebels have threatened to target all vessels owned by or dealing with Israel. This marks a significant escalation in the threat posed by the Houthis against global maritime shipping.
The hijacking has raised concerns about the safety of one of the world's key shipping routes, the Red Sea, and could potentially trigger U.S. intervention due to the political and economic implications.