Middle East: Rescuers search for missing Red Sea sailors

Search and rescue operations are underway in the Red Sea for more than a dozen crew from a Greek-owned cargo ship attacked by Yemen's Houthi rebels.

Six of 25 sailors have been saved, the US says some have been taken hostage. 

Germany's foreign minister said Israel has an "obligation" to save "hundreds of thousands" of Palestinians in Gaza from starvation and called on Hamas to disarm and release all remaining hostages from Gaza.

Here are all the headlines from Israel, the war in Gaza and the wider Middle East on Thursday, July 10:

07/10/2025July 10, 2025

German Foreign Minister Wadephul calls on Israel to save Palestinians from starvation

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Thursday called on Israel to save "hundreds of thousands" of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip from starvation.

"That is Israel's obligation. International aid organizations must immediately be granted comprehensive access to be able to bring humanitarian aid to the people," said Wadephul.

Israel has thrown international agencies out of Gaza and installed the highly controversial — and to date deadly and inefficient — US-run Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in their place.

The foreign minister also called on the Palestinian militant group Hamas to lay down its arms and release any hostages it is still holding in Gaza.

He said Palestinians need to have a future in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem if there is ever to be long-lasting peace.

He emphasized that such a future should be one in which Hamas no longer rules in Gaza.

07/10/2025July 10, 2025

Rescuers search for missing Red Sea sailors

Search and rescue operations are underway in the Red Sea as more than a dozen crew members from the Greek-owned Eternity C remain unaccounted for after their ship was attacked by Yemeni Houthi rebels.

The Iran-backed militants reportedly killed at least three crew members in a gunfire and explosive drone attack that lasted for hours. The group released video footage claiming to show the Liberian-flagged vessel sinking.

"The Yemeni navy responded to rescue a number of the ship's crew, provide them with medical care, and transport them to a safe location," according to Yemeni military spokesperson.

A statement from the EU's Red Sea naval mission said a total of 25 people were on the vessel at the time of the attack — 22 sailors and a three-member security detail. So far, six men have been rescued, pulled from the sea after more than 24 hours in the water.

The US Embassy in Yemen, meanwhile, accused the Houthis of having kidnapped several crew members. A statement by the US mission on X called "for their immediate and unconditional safe release," noting that "the Houthis continue to show the world why the United States was right to label them a terrorist organization."

The Eternity C is the second cargo ship rebels have sunk in recent days, with the bulk carrier Magic Seas being targeted for doing business with Israel as well. 

Citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, the Houthis have attacked more than 100 such ships in the Red Sea since November 2023. 

07/10/2025July 10, 2025

Welcome to our coverage

Welcome to DW's coverage of the latest developments in the Middle East. 

On Thursday, we start with the search for crew members from a Greek-owned freighter missing after Yemeni Houthis sank their ship in the Red Sea. The US says some of those still unaccounted for have been taken hostage. In Berlin, Germany's foreign minister said Israel has an "obligation" to save "hundreds of thousands" of Palestinians in Gaza from starvation and allow international relief agencies to resume distributing humanitarian assistance, while at the same time calling on Hamas to disarm and release all of their remaining hostages.

Stay tuned for more news and analysis.