Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have announced a missile attack on Israel and declared a ban on Israeli shipping in the Red Sea, raising concerns of a return to major disruption on the key route.
The Houthis had previously harassed cargo ships in the vital seaway during the Israel-Hamas war, forcing many companies into a lengthy detour around the tip of southern Africa.
The threat comes as the Strait of Hormuz, the gateway to the Gulf sea and its energy exporters, remains blockaded by Iran as a result of the Middle East war with the US and Israel.
The Houthis, who joined the Middle East war in support of Iran in March, had not announced a missile attack on Israel since a fragile ceasefire began on April 8.
They said they 'launched a missile barrage targeting sensitive Israeli enemy targets', claiming the strikes 'achieved their objectives with precision'.
The Israeli military earlier wrote on Telegram that it 'has identified the launch of a missile from Yemen toward Israeli territory, aerial defense systems are operating to intercept the threat'.
