Iran-backed rebels claim Israeli vessels ‘are legitimate targets for us anywhere’
By Joe Kovacs
Iran-backed Houthi rebels hijack the ‘Galaxy Leader’ cargo ship off the coast of Yemen on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023. (Video screenshot)
Dramatic video of a Japanese cargo ship’s hijacking in the Red Sea on Sunday has been released, revealing stunning details of the takeover of the Bahamian-flagged “Galaxy Leader.”
The footage was released by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who have promised to target Israeli ships because of its current war against Hamas. The video shows a helicopter landing atop the ship before several armed individuals rappel down to the deck and overtake the crew. While the rebels insist the vessel belongs to Israel, Jerusalem
he Israel Defense Forces issued a statement: “The hijacking of the cargo ship by the Houthis near Yemen in the southern Red Sea is a very serious event on a global level. This is a ship that left Turkey on its way to India with an international civilian crew, without Israelis. This is not an Israeli ship.”
Statement from IDF: The hijacking of the cargo ship by the Houthis near Yemen in the southern Red Sea is a very serious event on a global level. This is a ship that left Turkey on its way to India with an international civilian crew, without Israelis.
This is not an Israeli ship. https://t.co/8tTDeN31Od— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) November 19, 2023