Growing concerns about escalating attacks in the Red Sea.
ABC News got a rare interview with the leader of
the Iranian backed Houthi rebels launching those attacks from Yemen.
Foreign correspondent Britt Clinic is in Tel Aviv with the
story.
Good morning, Brit.
Good morning, Joe. Yeah. As the fighting in southern Gaza
intensifies,
renewed fears of a wider war breaking out a leader
of the Houthis signalling to ABC News that the Iran
backed group has no plans to stop attacks in the
Red Sea.
This morning dramatic images showing mass protests in support of
Gaza and Yemen.
These weekly rallies are erupting since the war began.
Thousands of people taking to the streets in support of
the Palestinians.
This comes as the USS Mason shot down more missile
and drone attacks by Iranian backed militants in the Red
Sea.
The Houthi rebels operating in Yemen claim the strikes in
the vital shipping passage are in protest of Israel's war
against Hamas.
Houthi leader Mohammed Al Houthi sitting down for a rare
interview,
telling ABC News that the group will escalate strikes on
any ship linked to Israel.
Countries that attack us will be a legitimate target for
us,
such as the ships belonging to the usurping entity or
heading to it.
We seek to stop the aggression on Gaza,
says Al Houthi, blaming President Biden for seeking to expand
the conflict.
The White House telling ABC News the ambushes have nothing
to do with the conflict in Gaza.
The Houthis have fired blindly into the Red Sea,
targeting vessels impacting over 40 countries around the world.
Now, the US is leading an international task force so
that commercial ships can flow freely through that crucial passage.
But some major shipping firms like Maersk and oil giant
BP are still diverting vessels over safety fears.
All right, Brett, and while we have you,
let's talk about this. With concerns growing about the region
destabilizing even further,
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has announced more military support
for Israel.
That's right, Gio. The State Department has for the second
time bypassed Congress to green light an emergency sale of
weapons to Israel.
It's worth 147 and a half million dollars covering artillery
shells and other equipment.
Meanwhile, the Gaza death told you it's growing by the
day.
More than 21,500 people killed,
according to the Hamas run health ministry.
All right, Britt. Clinton, thank you so much.