In a series of escalating attacks, Houthi rebels fired a missile at a U.S.-owned ship, the Gibraltar Eagle, just off the coast of Yemen in the Gulf of Aden. This comes less than a day after the rebels launched an anti-ship cruise missile towards an American destroyer in the Red Sea. The attack on the Gibraltar Eagle, claimed by the Houthis, has further heightened tensions in the Red Sea following American-led strikes on the rebels.

The attack on the Gibraltar Eagle has had significant implications for global shipping, particularly in the midst of Israel's war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The targeted area is a crucial corridor that connects Asian and Middle Eastern energy and cargo shipments to the Suez Canal, which then continues onward to Europe. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, responsible for overseeing Mideast waters, reported that the attack occurred approximately 110 miles southeast of Aden. The ship's captain confirmed that the missile hit the port side of the vessel from above.

The Gibraltar Eagle is a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier owned by Eagle Bulk Shipping, a firm based in Stamford, Connecticut. The company acknowledged the strike and stated that it caused limited damage to a cargo hold, but the ship remains stable and is continuing its journey. There were no injuries reported among the crew members onboard. The vessel was carrying a cargo of steel products, and Eagle Bulk Shipping is in close contact with relevant authorities regarding the incident.

Satellite-tracking data analyzed by the Associated Press revealed that the Gibraltar Eagle had been en route to the Suez Canal but rapidly changed course at the time of the attack. This incident follows a separate failed anti-ship ballistic missile launch detected by Central Command towards the southern Red Sea, which impacted on land in Yemen.

In response to the attacks, the Maritime Administration issued a warning advising commercial vessels to exercise caution when traveling near Yemen in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The advisory recommended that U.S. flag and U.S.-owned commercial vessels stay away from the region until further notice.

The Houthi military spokesman, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, claimed responsibility for the attack on the Gibraltar Eagle in a televised address. He declared that all American and British ships and warships participating in the aggression against Yemen are considered hostile targets.

These recent attacks by the Houthis mark the first U.S.-acknowledged fire since American-led strikes began on the rebels. The strikes, which took place on Friday, targeted 28 locations and more than 60 targets using cruise missiles and bombs launched by fighter jets, warships, and a submarine. The Houthis have not disclosed the extent of the damage caused by the strikes but stated that five of their troops were killed, and six others were injured.

The attacks on shipping in the Red Sea have raised concerns about the safety of maritime navigation. Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, referenced the escalating tensions in a speech, warning that the sea has become a battlefield of missiles, drones, and warships. Nasrallah blamed the U.S. strikes for exacerbating maritime tensions and expressed concern about the security of maritime navigation.

The attacks in the Red Sea have also had implications for shipping in the Middle East, particularly for Qatar, one of the world's top natural gas suppliers. Three liquid natural gas tankers that had recently loaded in Qatar and were bound for the Suez Canal are currently idling off Oman, while another tanker coming from Europe to Qatar remains off Saudi Arabia.

The situation in Yemen remains complex, with Saudi Arabia seeking to distance itself from the attacks on Houthi sites as it attempts to maintain a delicate detente with Iran and uphold the ceasefire in Yemen. The Saudi-led, U.S.-backed war in Yemen, which began in 2015, has resulted in the deaths of over 150,000 people and created a severe humanitarian crisis.

It remains uncertain whether the U.S. will retaliate for the recent attacks. President Joe Biden has emphasized that he will not hesitate to take further measures to protect American citizens and international commerce if necessary. The attacks in the Red Sea pose a significant threat to regional stability and have the potential to ignite a wider conflict.