Two more major shipping firms, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and CMA CGM, have said they are suspending passage through a Red Sea strait vital for global trade, after Yemeni rebel attacks in the area, AFP reports.

The announcement by MSC and CMA CGM follows a similar decision on Friday by two of the world’s largest shipping companies, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, after Houthi rebels said they were targeting vessels to pressure Israel over its devastating conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.