AN ISRAELI-owned cargo ship has reportedly been hijacked by an Iran-backed militia group.
Up to 52 people are reported to have on board the Galaxy Leader vehicle carrier when she was seized.
The Galaxy Leader is a large cargo ship owned by an Israeli firm
AlamyHouthi rebels are an Iran-backed militia group in Yemen[/caption]
It comes after the Houthis – based in Yemen – vowed they would target all ships owned by Israel or flying their flag in the Red Sea.
Israeli officials confirmed the rebels had taken over the ship that is partially owned by one of their companies, according to Axios.
However, the IDF went on to deny the ship was Israeli.
The exact ownership of ships is often difficult to discern due to various different companies owning stakes in or leasing the vessels.
It is understood there are no Israeli nationals onboard the massive vehicle carrier.
The ship has not reported its position on ship tracking services for 26 hours.
Lebanon-based outlet Al Mayadeen reported there were 52 people on board the ship when it was seized.
It is flagged to the Bahamas – and the nationality of the crew on board is unknown.
Other reports stated the number of crew was 22.
Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said: “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.”
Houthi spokesman Yahya Sarea demanded all countries withdraw their citizens from working on Israeli ships.
And after news broke of the ship hijacking, he said the group would release a statement in the “coming hours”.
The ship is reportedly owned by Israeli shipping businessman Rami Ungar.
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