[KARAH RUCKER]

A COMMERCIAL SHIP TRAVELING THROUGH THE RED SEA CAME UNDER ATTACK WEDNESDAY.

THE BRITISH MILITARY SUSPECTS YEMEN’S HOUTHI REBELS ARE BEHIND THE ASSAULT –

WHICH WOULD JUST BE THE LATEST IN AN ONGOING CAMPAIGN BY THE TERROR GROUP TARGETING SHIPS TRAVELING THROUGH THE TRADE ROUTE.

ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS –

THIS ATTACK INVOLVED MEN ON SMALL BOATS FIRING SMALL ARMS AND HITTING THE SHIP WITH THREE PROJECTILES. 

THE VESSEL LOST ALL POWER – AND IS NO LONG UNDER COMMAND – MEANING ITS UNABLE TO MANEUVER PROPERLY IN THE WATERS.

NO CASUALTIES WERE REPORTED.

THE HOUTHIS HAVE SO FAR **SUNK TWO SHIPS IN THEIR EFFORTS TO DISRUPT THE CHANNEL.

THEY SAY THEIR ATTACKS ARE A DIRECT RESPONSE TO THE ISRAEL HAMAS WAR.

LAST MONTH – THE HOUTHIS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR A DRONE ATTACK IN TEL AVIV THAT KILLED ONE PERSON.

THE U.S. BELIEVES IRAN IS “DEEPLY INVOLVED” IN HOUTHI ATTACKS –

THOUGH TEHRAN DENIES IT.

THIS LATEST ATTACK IN THE RED SEA COMES AS THE U.S. CONTINUES TO RAISE CONCERNS OVER A BROADER REGIONAL CONFLICT BEING IMMINENT.

SECRETARY OF STATE ANTONY BLINKEN SAYING “TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE” FOR ISRAEL AND HAMAS TO REACH A CEASEFIRE DEAL IN ORDER TO PREVENT ESCALATIONS.

BLINKEN SPENT THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS IN THE MIDDLE EAST TRYING TO HAMMER OUT AN AGREEMENT – WHICH ISRAEL HAD AGREED TO BUT HAMAS DID NOT –

BLINKEN LEAVING EGYPT STILL WITH – **NO DEAL. **NO RETURN OF HOSTAGES. AND **NO RELIEF IN THE GAZA.