Houthi rebels in Yemen have launched a violent new wave of attacks on ships in the Red Sea, sinking two vessels and killing crew members.

Yemen's Huthi rebels have resumed their attacks on Red Sea shipping, saying they aim to force Israel to cease fire in Gaza -- a move that threatens a truce with Washington and rattles maritime trade.The Iran-backed rebels allege that the two vessels they attacked earlier this week -- the Magic Seas and the Eternity C -- were linked to trade with Israel.

The attack on the Eternity C, which killed at least three of the crew, represents the most serious assault carried out by the Houthis in the crucial maritime trade route.