Fighters from the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah participate in military drill in Aaramta village, south Lebanon, in May 2023. (Photo: Getty Images/NBC)

On Wednesday, the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting to discuss the continuing attacks by Houthi gunmen in the Red Sea as intense fighting between Israel and Hamas threatens to ignite the region.

International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez called on parties involved to keep calm and de-escalate to ensure the safety of seafarers, freedom of navigation, and stability of supply chains.

He said the IMO will continue to monitor the situation in collaboration with member states and partners from the industry, together with navies involved in ensuring security at sea.

During an Al Masirah TV broadcast, a spokesperson for the Houthi in Yemen said the Houthi group will continue to prevent Israeli ships and others heading to Israel from crossing the Red Sea or the Arab Sea until food and medical aid are allowed to enter the Gaza Strip. 

US officials on Wednesday insisted that they will continue to maintain a significant presence of military forces in the Middle East after announcing the withdrawal of the aircraft carrier Gerald Ford.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the US is cooperating with partners to support Israel, provide humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, and protect international trade through the Red Sea.