missiles against a Greek ship and US drone shot down –

While there is hope for white smoke for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, tension in the Red Sea remains very high. The United States Central Command (Centcom) announced in a tweet that the MV Cyclades, a Greek-owned ship flying the Maltese flag, managed to continue its course following being targeted yesterday by three anti-ship ballistic missiles. Centcom says Houthi rebels fired three missiles at a Greek ship while a drone was shot down in the Red Sea. The drone was fired at American warships patrolling the waterway. The Maltese-flagged ship managed to continue its route. Maritime tracking data shows the bulk carrier was headed from Saleef, Yemen, towards the Suez Canal. CentCom also claims to have “successfully engaged and destroyed” a Houthi UAV headed towards the USS Philippine Sea and the USS Laboon in the Red Sea. In neither accident were any injuries or damage reported.

Meanwhile, we look at the latest diplomatic developments. If there is no ceasefire agreement with Hamas “in the next few days” Israel will launch the offensive in Rafah. This is what Israeli Army Radio reports, citing security sources. “If there is no progress in the negotiations for an agreement in the next few days, the order will be given to launch an operation in Rafah”, reads a post on the radio’s social networks, which cites “security officials”. Hamas negotiators are reportedly preparing a written response to the latest proposed agreement, which would provide for a 40-day ceasefire. The Ynet newspaper reports that the plan for the operation in Rafah has been completed and that the IDF estimates that a decision will be made in the next 48-72 hours.