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One in five commercial ships are now avoiding the Red Sea because of the threat of attack, according to the International Chamber of Shipping. Several firms - including two of the world’s biggest - have paused shipments through the route after vessels were attacked by Houthi rebels in Yemen. The attacks are being carried out by the Houthi group, which has declared support for Hamas and has said it was targeting ships travelling to Israel. The Red Sea accounts for 15% of the world’s shipping, and plays a crucial part in the global supply chain.