A business cargo ship belonging to Israel was struck by what seems to have been a drone strike in the Indian Ocean. The Associated Press was informed about the attack by an unidentified US defense official that the strike on Friday was most likely conducted with an Iranian drone. The Israeli ship was hit in the Indian Ocean, according to a report from Al Mayadeen, a pan-Arab television.
In global seas, the drone attacked Malta-flagged CMA CGM Symi freighter which was operated by French crew. After the drone burst, the ship apparently sustained damage, but no passengers were hurt. The US source stated, “We continue to monitor the situation closely,” without offering any proof that Iran was involved in the attack.
The ship’s monitoring broadcasts had halted soon after it left port in the UAE, according to maritime safety firm Ambrey, which reported this in the days leading up to the attack.
Ambrey explained that it was determined that the vessel’s management by an Israeli-affiliated business group was the underlying reason behind the attack.
The staff of the ship had turned off its monitoring system in the past four days, when it departed the Jebel Ali port in Dubai. They had been acting as though they were afraid there may be a danger, based in reports. After the ship had passed Yemen beforehand in the Red Sea, similar behavioral codes were registered.
After Israel opened war against Gazan people early in October, the Houthis, who are affiliated with Iran, have conducted multiple missile and drone assaults on Israeli south, based on Israeli authorities. According to Palestinian sources, the Israeli bombing has killed around 15,000 Palestinian residents so far, notably over 6,150 children.
The Houthi forces also seized possession of another ship this week, calimed to be Israeli, off the shores of Yemeni Red Sea. However, Israel claimed that it was a cargo ship, owned by the British and handled by the Japanese, carrying no Israeli people.
For long years, Israel and Iran have been fighting in a covert conflict that involved allegations of Iranian participation in assaults against Israeli-owned cargos in open waters in the past.
If the assault on the Symi vessel occurred two days ago, it would indicate that it took place shortly before Israel and Hamas declared the four-day truce. The UN said that Tel Aviv had increased its assaults on Gaza in the hours before the ceasefire.
Numerous Palestinian women and children who were detained in Israel were exchanged for the release on Friday of Israelis and a few other citizens who were taken hostage in Gaza. Up until Monday, when the four-day truce ends, and may be extended, further exchanges are anticipated.
