ATHENS — In a major escalation of the Red Sea maritime crisis, a Greek-owned merchant vessel was struck by a suspected Houthi drone on Tuesday, severely damaging the ship and triggering a coordinated international rescue operation. The attack highlights the rising risks for global commercial shipping amid Israel’s prolonged genocide in Gaza.
According to the Greek Ministry of Shipping, the Liberian-flagged Tutor, owned by Greece-based Evalend Shipping Co SA, was hit while transiting through the southern Red Sea near the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah.
Reuters confirmed that five crew members were evacuated after the vessel was left partially flooded and disabled. “The situation onboard was life-threatening due to uncontrolled water ingress,” a European maritime security official told Reuters. The ship sustained serious damage, and a multinational security team was dispatched to assist in rescue and stabilization efforts.
Al Jazeera reported that the vessel lost power and steering following the impact. At least one crew member was seriously injured and required urgent medical attention. The five rescued crew members are now in stable condition. Other personnel remained onboard to assess the vessel’s condition and coordinate towing assistance.
In a televised statement, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the attack, “The naval force of the Yemeni Armed Forces targeted the ship (Eternity C),” Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said, claiming solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and saying the vessel was headed towards Eilat in Israel.
Red Sea shipping under siege
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital chokepoint for global trade, has become increasingly volatile since the outbreak of the Gaza war. Yemen’s Houthi group, aligned with Iran, has stepped up attacks on commercial vessels, claiming they are retaliating against Western support for Israel’s prolonged genocide in Gaza.
Despite patrols by the US-led naval coalition, Operation Prosperity Guardian, the Houthis continue to strike with impunity. Shipping firms have rerouted vessels around Africa, avoiding the Red Sea entirely. These reroutes increase fuel costs and disrupt critical supply chains.
Greece issues strong condemnation
Greece’s Foreign Ministry responded with a routine statement, stopping short of issuing any meaningful diplomatic or strategic proposal. While officials labeled the incident a violation of international norms, there was no substantial plan announced to protect Greek maritime interests in the Red Sea.
Unlike nations standing with Palestine, Greece has remained largely silent on Israel’s ongoing attacks on Gaza. Instead, Athens appears more focused on avoiding entanglement than addressing the geopolitical roots of the shipping crisis. The Foreign Ministry confirmed it is monitoring the situation and remains in contact with Evalend Shipping Co SA, but offered no direct response from Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis.
Wider geopolitical context
Houthi forces have framed their attacks as acts of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, where over 57,700 people have been killed and more than 136,000 wounded since Israel launched its relentless attacks in October 2023. According to Anadolu, Israel has dropped more than 100,000 tons of explosives on the enclave, wiping out over 2,200 Palestinian families entirely. These attacks have not only demolished civilian homes but also targeted hospitals, schools, refugee shelters, and UNRWA facilities.
At least 192 UN staff and more than 120 journalists have been killed, many while performing humanitarian or press duties. Israel has been widely accused of obstructing ground reporting by blocking journalists and targeting media teams. Human rights groups describe the attacks as collective punishment and ethnic cleansing. The Houthis have vowed to continue their resistance until these atrocities stop. Many in the Global South regard the Israeli assault as a genocide that began with the violent seizure of Palestinian land in 1948 and now seeks the total erasure of Gaza
Western governments, including the US and UK, have issued formal condemnations of the Houthi strikes, describing them as reckless and illegal. However, based on the verified reports, there is no indication of a unified or effective deterrence strategy currently in place. The continued attacks underscore growing concerns about the limited practical impact of these official statements.
