Israel's war with Hamas has halted container shipping for the first time in over two months, causing major disruptions to oil, liquefied gas and other cargoes in the world's major trade routes. Yemen's Houthis, in solidarity with the Palestinians, have been shelling merchant ships through the Red Sea, the Suez Canal and the Bab el-Suda, and as a result, the largest international shipping companies have run out of patience. Houthi rebels have been attacking merchant ships in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait since November in solidarity with Hamas. The Houthis control a significant part of Yemen, enjoy the support of Iran and consider Saudi Arabia, the United States and Israel their enemies. They claimed that their target was the Israeli merchant fleet, but ships not associated with Israel also came under attack by drones and missiles. As a result, most of the world's shipowners, including giants MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, rerouted container ships along a long route around