Yemen’s Houthi rebels captured a cargo ship with Israeli ties in a crucial Red Sea shipping route on Sunday, holding its 25 crew members hostage, officials reported.

Concerns are rising that escalating regional tensions, stemming from the Israel-Hamas conflict, are now manifesting in a new maritime context.

The Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, asserted that the ship was seized due to its association with Israel.

They declared their intention to target vessels in international waters linked to or owned by Israelis until the conclusion of Israel’s campaign against Gaza’s Hamas ruler, the Associated Press reported.

“All ships belonging to the Israeli enemy or that deal with it will become legitimate targets,” the Houthis said.

Mohammed Abdul-Salam, the chief negotiator and spokesperson for the Houthis, later conveyed in an online statement that, in his view, the Israelis comprehend only “the language of force.”

Written by B.C. Begley