Israel's government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has accused Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen of hijacking a cargo ship in the Red Sea, putting a crucial global shipping route at risk. The vessel, owned by a British company and operated by a Japanese firm, was reportedly on its way from Turkey to India. The Houthi rebels had previously threatened to target ships with the Israeli flag, escalating tensions in the region. This marks a significant escalation in the threat to maritime shipping since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began. Israel blames Tehran for the attack, linking it to Iran's alleged support for the Houthi rebels.

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