An Israeli navy missile boat patrols in the Red Sea off the coast of Israel's southern port city of Eliat on 26 December, 2023. Photo: AFP / Alberto Pizzoli
New Zealand and 11 other countries have issued a joint statement calling for an immediate end to attacks on container ships in the Red Sea.
There have been more than 20 attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in recent weeks.
The nations, including the United States, Bahrain, Denmark, Germany and the United Kingdom, said the attacks were a direct threat to global trade.
Nearly 15 percent of global seaborne trade passes through the Red Sea, which leads to the Suez Canal, linking the Indian Ocean with the Mediterranean.
Over the weekend, the US sank three Houthi boats and killed 10 rebels. The militants had attacked a Maersk container vessel, prompting the global shipping giant to temporarily pause sailing in the area.
The Houthis said the Maersk vessel failed to heed warning calls, Reuters reported.
The group, based in Yemen, was trying to disrupt shipping linked to Israel, which has in recent months launched an all-out assault on Gaza, following Hamas' deadly attack in early October.
Ships that cannot travel through the Suez Canal were forced to go around Africa.