A Greek-flagged vessel in the Red Sea has been targeted by Houthi rebels, resulting in a potential environmental catastrophe as the ship appears to be leaking oil, warned a spokesperson from the Pentagon. The Sounion, a crude oil tanker, came under attack last week, becoming the latest victim in a series of assaults on ships along this crucial maritime route.

Houthi rebels, backed by Iran and controlling Yemen's most populous regions, claim that these attacks are retaliation against the Israeli offensive in Gaza. They accuse the Israeli military of causing immense destruction by killing over 40,000 Palestinians and devastating large areas of the strip. The Israeli military, on the other hand, launched its offensive in response to Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel that resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of more than 250 people, as reported by Israeli authorities.

Disturbing images of intense fireballs engulfing the vessel have circulated in recent days. Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, has revealed that the Sounion is carrying around one million barrels of crude oil, making the situation even more precarious. The ship was en route from Iraq to Greece when it came under fire, causing the entire crew consisting of 23 Filipino and two Russian sailors to evacuate.

Concerns surrounding the Sounion's damaged state extend beyond the immediate threat to navigation. The European Union's defensive maritime security operation, Eunavfor Aspides, highlights the vessel's potential to cause both navigational risks and severe regional pollution. While there is currently no observed oil spill, the ship remains anchored but immobilized, with fires detected in multiple locations on the main deck, according to Eunavfor Aspides' recent communication.

Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have already led to the sinking of two ships and the loss of three crew members. This body of water serves as a crucial passage connecting to the Suez Canal, which plays a vital role in facilitating 10-15% of global trade, as reported by Reuters. The military spokesperson for the Houthis, Yahya Saree, states that the group fired upon the tanker because Delta Tankers violated its ban on entering the ports of occupied Palestine.

In response to the situation, the Iranian Permanent Mission to the United Nations has announced a "temporary truce" by the Houthis to allow rescue vessels to reach the area and extinguish the fire. However, they also warn that as long as the conflict in Gaza persists, the Houthis will continue to target oil tankers bound for Israel in the Red Sea.

Earlier this year, prominent shipping groups called for governments to take action against Houthi attacks in the region to prevent soaring costs for alternative cargo routes with longer travel times. The U.S. State Department has urged the Houthis to cease attacks along this busy shipping route and called upon other nations to step forward and help prevent this potential environmental disaster.

The International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation notes that the largest oil spill from a ship occurred in 1979 when approximately 287,000 metric tons of oil leaked from the Atlantic Empress during a storm after colliding with another carrier in the Caribbean Sea.

As the situation in the Red Sea unfolds, efforts must be made to contain the oil leak from the Sounion and prevent any further damage to the environment and maritime navigation in one of the world's busiest waterways.