In another incident of maritime aggression, a Greek-owned coal carrier, MV Tutor, is believed to have capsized in the Red Sea after being targeted by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. This information was reported by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), highlighting the escalating threat to ships in the region.

The MV Tutor becomes the second vessel to be sunk by the Houthi rebels since March this year when the British-registered vessel, Rubymar, was downed by ballistic missiles fired from Houthi territory in Yemen. The rebels have been carrying out numerous missile and drone attacks targeting ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, exacerbating tensions since Israel's invasion of Gaza following the Hamas-led attacks in October.

The ongoing humanitarian crisis resulting from Israel's prolonged bombardment of Gaza has garnered fierce condemnation from regional actors across the Middle East. In response, Israel launched a military offensive in October, citing the killing of 1,200 people by militants led by Hamas and the abduction of over 250 others. The Ministry of Health in Gaza reports that Israeli attacks have claimed the lives of at least 37,396 Palestinians while injuring an additional 85,523 individuals.

The MV Tutor came under attack on June 12, first by a smaller boat and then by an unknown airborne projectile, according to the UKMTO. One crew member was reported missing after the attack, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM). Subsequently, the entire crew was safely evacuated from the vessel, but it began drifting and eventually sank on Tuesday, as confirmed by the UKMTO.

The Houthi rebels, in a previous statement, claimed that the ship had violated their self-proclaimed "ban to the occupied Palestinian ports." They attributed the attack to a sea drone, ballistic missiles, and other drones. A Houthi-run news outlet, Al Masirah, has acknowledged the sinking of the MV Tutor as reported by foreign media outlets.

Responding to the incident, CENTCOM criticized the actions of the Houthi rebels, stating that they claimed to act on behalf of Palestinians in Gaza but were instead endangering the lives of third-country nationals who have no involvement in the Gaza conflict. This ongoing threat to international commerce hampers the delivery of much-needed assistance to the people of Yemen and Gaza, according to CENTCOM's statement.

Earlier this month, CENTCOM launched attacks on Houthi radars that facilitated the group's continuous assaults on ships in the Red Sea. The situation in the region remains fluid as nations grapple with the increasing tensions and strive to ensure the safety of maritime trade and humanitarian aid deliveries.

As the conflicts in the Middle East persist, the international community continues to seek diplomatic solutions to bring stability to the region and alleviate the suffering of those affected by the ongoing crises.